President Putin Calls Russian-China Military Cooperation Strengthens Strategic Relations

JAKARTA - Russian-Chinese military cooperation helps strengthen the strategic and trust-based relationship between the two countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday while receiving a visit by Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu.

On this occasion, he praised the successful and comprehensive cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in the field of defense.

"I think that is another key area, which strengthens the strategic and trust-based character of our relationship, the relationship between Russia and China," President Putin said, cited from TASS on April 17.

He praised the Russian-Chinese military cooperation, noting that the Russian and Chinese Defense Ministries exchanged useful information and held joint exercises.

"We are working actively through our military departments, regularly exchanging useful information, cooperating in the field of military-technical cooperation and holding joint exercises," said President Putin, citing Reuters.

The drills, he added, had been held in the Far East as well as Europe and involved the army, navy, and air forces.

"Undoubtedly, this is another important area that strengthens the strategic and trusting nature of our relationship," he stressed.

The Russian president recalled Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Russia in March, when cooperation between the defense ministries was one of the topics.

He noted that China's defense minister "has a pretty rich work program" in Russia.

"We are glad to see you. I am sure that your visit will be carried out at the highest possible level. Welcome to Russia!" said President Putin who on that occasion was accompanied by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on April 14, Li Shangfu would make his first foreign visit as defense minister to Russia on April 16-18.

He is expected to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Shoigu, to discuss "the current state and prospects for developing bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, as well as current global and regional security issues."

Li himself is known to have been under US sanctions since 2018 over the purchase of aircraft and combat equipment from Russia's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.