China’s new defence minister urges ‘closest’ military relations in first talks with Russian counterpart
- Dong Jun, who assumed post in December, tells Sergei Shoigu that Beijing and Moscow should ‘elevate the relations between the two militaries to a higher level’
- ‘Unlike some Western countries, our two countries do not form a military bloc’, Russian minister says, stressing that it is not a formal military alliance
In his first international engagement, China’s new defence minister talked up closer cooperation as he held a video conference with his Russian counterpart on Wednesday.
Dong Jun, who took office a month ago, spoke with Russia’s Sergei Shoigu ahnd “exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest”, China’s defence ministry said in a statement.
“The militaries should play a greater role in deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperation and maintaining global security and stability,” Dong said.
Shoigu said he looked forward to “closest and most fruitful cooperation” with Chinese partners and believed his talks with Dong would “further strengthen the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership in the field of defence,” according to Russia’s Sputnik News.
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Shoigu said Russia and China were developing “comprehensive military cooperation” but were “not targeting any third country”.
“Russian-Chinese military relations are developing steadily in all directions. We regularly hold joint naval, air and land combat training activities, and have successfully conducted combat exercises of different levels of complexity,” Shoigu said.
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The defence chiefs both mentioned that China and Russia would celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relationship this year and hailed the “best in history” relationship under the leadership of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, the Chinese statement said.
The diplomatic ties between Beijing and Moscow started when the newly established People’s Republic of China was recognised by the Soviet Union in October 1949. In recent years, Xi and Putin have moved closer amid growing tension with the West and declared a “partnership with no limits” just before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The two militaries also have stepped up cooperation in various forms, including joint exercises and hi-tech exchanges.
It was Dong’s first diplomatic appearance as the defence minister. The former commander of the PLA Navy was named minister on December 29 after the post was left vacant for more than two months.
His predecessor, Li Shangfu, was suddenly sacked in October without explanation, and there has yet to be an official announcement about Li’s dismissal. It was reported that a major anti-corruption campaign has been conducted within the PLA, with many senior commanders and generals put under investigation.
