TSAMTO, April 26th. Cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in the military sphere, joint operational and combat training of military personnel of the two countries make a significant contribution to maintaining global and regional stability.
This was stated by the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergei Shoigu, at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, according to the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
"Russian-Chinese military cooperation is an important element of increasing defense capability and maintaining global and regional stability. We regularly conduct joint operational and combat training on land, sea and in the air, and successfully work out combat training tasks of varying degrees of complexity," Sergei Shoigu said during a working meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun.
The talks were held on the sidelines of the meeting of defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries in Astana.
During the meeting, Sergei Shoigu noted that "the military-political situation in the world is not getting calmer."
"New hotbeds of tension are emerging and old ones are escalating. In fact, this is the result of geopolitical adventures, selfish neo–colonial actions of the West," the head of the Russian military department said.
According to him, "in contrast to the general alarming situation, the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation are being systematically built."
Friendly relations between Russia and China, Sergei Shoigu added, "maintain high dynamics of development, expand in all directions and, without exaggeration, are at an unprecedented level."
He stressed that trusting contacts between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping play a key role in strengthening strategic ties.
"We are determined to implement all the agreements reached at the highest level," the Russian Defense Minister said, noting that the approaches of the two countries "to the fundamental issues of the modern world order and current international problems coincide or are close."
"By their example, Russia and China demonstrate a new model of interstate relations. It is based on an equal, trusting dialogue, taking into account each other's fundamental interests," the Russian Defense Minister stressed.
Addressing his colleague, he added that he expects the closest and most fruitful cooperation.
"I am convinced that today's talks will serve to further strengthen the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership in the defense sector," the head of the Russian military department expressed confidence.
In turn, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said that the interaction of the armed forces of China and Russia play a stabilizing role in global processes.
"In a volatile international environment, it is especially important that the relationship between our armed forces remains highly dynamic, responding to the trends of the era. Our cooperation is essential for strategic stability on the planet," Dong Jun said.
The Chinese military commander noted that due to time and place constraints, he would like to discuss "the most fundamental issues" with his Russian counterpart.
This is the first personal meeting between Sergei Shoigu and Dong Jun after the latter was appointed head of the Military department of the People's Republic of China. On March 31, their talks took place via video conference, they were initiated by the Chinese side, the Ministry of Defense noted.
