Moscow (EFE).- The defense ministers of Russia and China, Sergei Shoigu and Li Shanfu, today expressed their determination to intensify military cooperation between the two countries and raise it to a new level along with other fields of interaction, in what was a message to the world of good harmony between the two Armies.
“I am convinced that his vast experience of cooperation with the Russian Federation will contribute both to the development of the Armed Forces of the People’s Republic of China and to the expansion of military cooperation between our countries,” Shoigu said at a meeting with his Chinese colleague in Moscow.
Shoigu thanked Li for the fact that his first trip since becoming defense minister was to Russia, as Chinese President Xi Jinping did in March after his re-election.
“I look forward to the closest and most fruitful (possible) cooperation in the spirit of unwavering friendship between our countries, peoples and Armed Forces,” the Russian minister added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi at their summit in Moscow “confirmed that the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation are at the highest level. They should develop by giving each other strong support, including on issues of national security,” Shoigu stressed.
Russia-China interaction as a stabilizer in the world
The defense minister also maintained that the interaction between Russia and China has a stabilizing effect in the world and helps to reduce tensions.
“The coordination of our efforts in the international arena has a stabilizing effect on the situation in the world and helps reduce the potential for conflict,” he said.
In Russia’s view, Shoigu added, it is important that the two countries “equally assess the essence of the ongoing transformation of the world geopolitical landscape.”
Li, for his part, indicated that the fact that Russia was the destination of his first foreign visit as Defense Minister is intended to show the whole world the firm intention of the People’s Republic of China to strengthen strategic cooperation with that country. .
“After being appointed to the post, the first place of the visit is Russia to demonstrate to the outside world the high level of development of Sino-Russian relations and show the firm determination to strengthen strategic cooperation between the Chinese and Russian Armed Forces. Russia,” he said.
Li meeting with Putin in the Kremlin
“I am sure that we will definitely maintain good working and personal relations in the future,” said Li, who held a meeting with Putin in the Kremlin on Sunday upon his arrival in Russia, which Shoigu also attended.
Li stressed that the Russian and Chinese armed forces “will definitely carefully implement the agreements reached by the heads of state and promote military and military-technical cooperation and military trade between Russia and China.”
“We will definitely take them to a new level,” stressed the minister, who the day before visited the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, something he described as “very instructive.”
The Chinese colonel general, who laid a wreath before the appointment with Shoigu at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin walls, heads a delegation that signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia today between the military academies of both countries, reported the Russian Ministry of Defence.
Following the talks, members of the Chinese delegation visited a number of facilities of the Russian National Defense Control Center.