Russia and China have extended an intergovernmental agreement for another 10 years, which provides for mutual notification of launches of ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles. Their signatures under the relevant Protocol was signed by the Ministers of defence of Russia Sergey Shoigu and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fanha. The talks between the heads of the military departments of the two countries were held on Tuesday in a video link.
"I have received from Beijing the copies of the protocol signed by you on the extension of the agreement on notifications of launches of ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles. I am ready to sign a protocol on the extension of this agreement for another 10-year period, " Shoigu said. He stressed that the extension of the agreement indicates a high level of trust between the two countries. Shoigu signed the protocol and showed the document to the interlocutor. Our Minister also noted that the use of video communication has become a common way of conducting negotiations today.
"The intergovernmental agreement on notifications of launches of ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles, signed in 2009, has shown its effectiveness. Notifications about launches near the Russian-Chinese border allowed us to expand the scope of predictability in the military sphere, " Shoigu said. He has no doubt that the continued exchange of such data between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China will contribute to stability and equal cooperation between Russia and China in the Asia-Pacific region. This is especially important when the arms control system has actually been destroyed, the deployment of components of the US global missile defense system continues, and the intention to deploy new US-made medium-and shorter-range missiles in the region is declared.
The Russian Minister stressed that in these conditions, joint steps by Russia and China are in demand to prevent incidents in the course of military activities and prevent attempts to draw the Russian Federation and China into an arms race. "We intend to further increase coordination between the military departments of the two countries, improve the mechanisms of military cooperation," Shoigu added.
He recalled that despite the pandemic, the two defense ministers managed to meet twice this year. "The talks confirmed your close attention to the development of military and military-technical cooperation between our countries in the spirit of a comprehensive strategic partnership. In this work, special attention is paid to improving the regulatory framework, " the head of the Russian Defense Ministry stressed.
In turn, Wei Fenghe reminded the Russian minister that he himself signed these documents in early December and expressed hope for a personal meeting with Shoigu next year. According to Wei Fenghe, the extension of this agreement is an example of ensuring global stability in the military sphere. "At the moment, there is more and more instability and uncertainty in the global situation. The signing of the protocol on the extension of the agreement between China and Russia is not only an important measure of trust and transparency between our countries, but also serves as an example of ensuring global strategic stability and creating exemplary relations between major powers," the Chinese minister said.
He stressed that Russia and China have jointly made a positive contribution to the process of international arms control and to ensuring peace and stability. And for the further development of Russian-Chinese relations, which are still at a high level, there are no restrictions.
Yuri Gavrilov