Top-level Visit Boosts Military Ties With Russia

Defence Minister Li Shangfu said China is willing to work with Russia to have close strategic communications between their militaries.

Li, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Sunday, also said China is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation with Russia, according to CCTV.

"China is willing to work with Russia to make new contributions to the maintenance of world and regional security and stability," Li said, according to the report.

He said China-Russia ties have "already entered a new era".

"This is my first overseas visit since taking over as China's defence minister. I specifically chose Russia for this in order to emphasise the special nature and strategic importance of our bilateral ties," Li said.

In the meeting, also attended by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin welcomed military cooperation between the two countries.

"We are also working actively through the military departments, regularly exchange useful information, cooperate in the field of military-technical cooperation, conduct joint exercises," Putin said.

Li is on a visit to Russia until April 19.

China has offered to broker peace in the Ukraine conflict and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said last week Beijing would not sell arms to any side. (AFP & Reuters)