Shoigu said he expects to expand military cooperation with China

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu in Moscow, expressing confidence in the expansion of military cooperation between the two countries.

“I am convinced that your extensive experience of interaction with the Russian Federation will contribute both to the development of the PRC Armed Forces and to the expansion of military cooperation between our countries … I look forward to the closest and most fruitful cooperation with you in the spirit of unbreakable friendship between our countries, peoples, and also by the Armed Forces of Russia and China, leads his words TASS.

Shoigu also stressed that cooperation between the Russian Federation and China in the international arena has a stabilizing effect on the situation in the world, reducing the “conflict potential.” Moscow and Beijing, in particular, coordinate their actions during the preparation of patrols and military exercises both on a bilateral basis and in multilateral formats, for example, within the framework of the SCO.

“It is important that our countries equally assess the essence of the ongoing transformation of the global geopolitical landscape,” the minister added.

Moscow highly appreciates the fact that Li Shangfu, after his appointment as Minister of Defense, chose the Russian Federation as the first country for an international visit. The Moscow summit in March, attended by the leaders of Russia and China, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, confirmed that “Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation are at the highest level,” the minister added.

Chinese Defense Minister and State Councilor General Li Shangfu, appointed in March, arrived in Moscow on April 16 for a visit that will last until April 18. Arriving in Moscow, the Chinese minister met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the visit, Li Shangfu is expected to visit Russian military educational institutions. Against the backdrop of anxiety in the West caused by the visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, at a joint press conference with her German counterpart Annalena Burbock on April 16, said that Beijing would not supply weapons to either Russia or Ukraine.

How noted formerly Vedomosti, the Minister of Defense of the People’s Republic of China is the fourth person in the country’s military hierarchy (after the chairman of the Central Military Council and his two deputies), since the department does not have direct authority to manage the army and its development. The Ministry of Defense only represents the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the international level and coordinates communications between military and civilian departments.