China’s Defense Minister Li Shangfu began a visit to Russia on Sunday, the Chinese government confirmed, and stressed that relations between the armies of the two countries »have continued to maintain a high operational level».
»At the invitation of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, (Chinese) Defense Minister Li Shangu will pay an official visit to Russia between April 16 and 19,» confirmed this week the ministry’s spokesman Tan Kefei, who added that during his trip »he will hold talks with the military leadership and visit Russian military academies».
He stressed that »over the past few years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, relations between the Chinese and Russian militaries have continued to maintain a high operational level and progress has been made in strategic communication, joint exercises and practical cooperation,» according to the Chinese news portal Huanqiu.
Beijing has strengthened its ties with Moscow in recent years in the face of what they see as an expanding threat from the United States and NATO. In addition, the Chinese government presented in late February a peace plan for Ukraine composed of twelve proposals in an effort to provide a political solution to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in which it calls for a ceasefire on both sides and defends the territorial integrity of all countries.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
