China News Service, November 25. The spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, Colonel Wu Qian, stated at a regular press conference on the 25th that the relationship between the Chinese and Russian armed forces is not the best, only better; there is no end to Sino-Russian military cooperation, only marches.
A reporter asked at the meeting: On November 23, State Councilor and Minister of Defense Wei Fenghe had a video call with Russian Defense Minister Shoigu.
How to evaluate the current Sino-Russian military relations?
Wu Qian said that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia in the new era has continued to move forward. The two militaries have increasingly deepened exchanges and cooperation in various fields, strategic communication has reached a new level, and practical cooperation. New breakthroughs have been achieved and new progress has been made in mechanism building, which has continuously enriched the strategic connotation of the relationship between the two countries.
One is the close strategic communication.
Since the beginning of this year, the leaders of the two armed forces have continued to maintain close strategic communication.
State Councilor and Minister of Defense Wei Fenghe participated in the 9th Moscow International Security Conference in the form of a recorded speech. He met with Russian Defense Minister Shoigu in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and Ningxia, China. Member of the Central Military Commission and Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of the Military Commission Li Zuocheng went to Russia to observe the "Peace Mission-2021" SCO member states' joint counter-terrorism military exercise and held talks with the Chief of Staff of the Russian Army.
On November 23, Minister Wei Fenghe and Minister Shoigu held a video call to summarize the annual cooperation situation and exchange views on the next step of cooperation. Leaders of the navy and air force of both sides participated.
In addition, the leaders of the two militaries exchanged views in a timely manner on important issues of cooperation between the two militaries through letters.
The second is in-depth practical cooperation in the field of exercises and training.
Since the beginning of this year, the two militaries have successfully organized a series of joint training activities under the background of normalization of epidemic prevention and control.
The Russian military came to China for the first time to participate in China’s "Western Joint-2021" exercise. The two sides jointly held the "Sea Joint-2021" exercise and the first joint maritime cruise, organized the implementation of the third joint air strategic cruise, and jointly participated in the SCO’s “Peace Mission” -2021" joint counter-terrorism military exercise, continue to deepen the relevant cooperation within the framework of the "International Military Games -2021", and further enhance the joint operations capabilities of the two militaries.
The third is the continuous improvement of the military cooperation mechanism.
Since the beginning of the year, the two sides have continued to promote the establishment of military cooperation mechanisms and formulate cooperation development plans. The two militaries have further strengthened coordination and cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other multilateral frameworks.
Wu Qian said that the Sino-Russian military relationship is not the best, only better; there is no end to Sino-Russian military cooperation, only marches.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the "Sino-Russian Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation", which is of special significance to China and Russia.
The Chinese military is willing to work with Russia to intensify strategic cooperation, deepen exchanges and cooperation, bring more benefits to the two countries and their peoples, and play a greater role in maintaining world peace and stability.