China’s new defense minister held a video conference with his Russian counterpart on Wednesday and spoke of close cooperation in his first international engagement.
China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that Dongjun, who took office a month ago, met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and “exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest.”
“The military should play a greater role in deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperation and maintaining global security and stability,” Dong said.
According to Russia’s Sputnik News, Shoigu said he was looking forward to “the closest and most fruitful cooperation” with his Chinese partner, adding that the meeting with Dong “will further strengthen the Russian-China strategic partnership in the defense field. “I will,” he said.
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Shoigu said Russia and China have “comprehensive military cooperation” but “are not targeting third countries.”
“Russian-Chinese military relations are steadily developing in all directions. We regularly hold joint sea, air and land combat training activities, and we conduct combat training exercises of different levels of complexity. We have successfully implemented this,” Shoigu said.
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The defense ministers both noted that China and Russia will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year and praised the “best in history” relations under the leadership of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, according to a Chinese statement. .
Diplomatic relations between China and Moscow began in October 1949, when the newly established People’s Republic of China was recognized by the Soviet Union. In recent years, amid heightened tensions with the West, Mr. Xi and President Vladimir Putin have grown closer and declared an “unrestricted partnership.” ” Just before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The two militaries are also increasing cooperation in various ways, including joint exercises and high-tech exchanges.
This was Dong’s first diplomatic appearance as defense minister. The former People’s Liberation Army Navy commander was appointed minister on December 29, after the post had been vacant for more than two months.
His predecessor, Lee Sangbok, was abruptly dismissed without explanation in October, and there has been no official announcement regarding Lee’s dismissal yet. A large-scale anti-corruption campaign is reportedly underway within the People’s Liberation Army, with many senior commanders and generals under investigation.