WNAM MONITORING: Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov on Friday expressed confidence that talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun will help define the “further steps” in bilateral “strategic cooperation.”
During a meeting in Moscow, Belousov noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Russia and China, as well as the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Treaty of Friendship, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry.
He said military cooperation is becoming particularly significant amid a “constantly changing military-political situation,” describing it as a key element of regional and global security.
“Andrey Belousov expressed confidence that today’s talks will allow them to compare positions and determine further steps within the framework of strategic cooperation between the two countries,” the statement said.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said relations between China and Russia are “always developing on the right track and at a high level” under the leadership of both countries’ presidents, according to the statement.
He also highlighted the importance of the current year for bilateral defense ties and noted that several high-level engagements are planned.
Dong said he is ready, together with his Russian counterpart, to “seize every opportunity to strengthen strategic interaction and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in order to give a powerful impetus to the high-quality development of Chinese-Russian relations,” guided by agreements between the two presidents.
Dong’s visit to Moscow is part of a six-day trip that also includes Kyrgyzstan, where he is expected to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers’ meeting in Bishkek, according to Xinhua.
