China’s new defence minister urges ‘closest’ military relations in first talks with Russian counterpart
- Dong Jun, who assumed post in December, tells Sergei Shoigu that Beijing and Moscow should ‘elevate the relations between the two militaries to a higher level’
- ‘Unlike some Western countries, our two countries do not form a military bloc’, Russian minister says, stressing that it is not a formal military alliance
In his first international engagement, China’s new defence minister talked up closer cooperation as he held a video conference with his Russian counterpart on Wednesday.
Dong Jun, who took office a month ago, spoke with Russia’s Sergei Shoigu ahnd “exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest”, China’s defence ministry said in a statement.
“The militaries should play a greater role in deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperation and maintaining global security and stability,” Dong said.
Shoigu said he looked forward to “closest and most fruitful cooperation” with Chinese partners and believed his talks with Dong would “further strengthen the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership in the field of defence,” according to Russia’s Sputnik News.
Shoigu said Russia and China were developing “comprehensive military cooperation” but were “not targeting any third country”.
