Updated 4/16/23 at 9:37pm
For his first overseas visit since his appointment, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has decided to visit Russia. “To emphasize the special nature and strategic importance of our bilateral relations,” he said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.
“We have very strong ties that go beyond the military-political alliances of the Cold War era” and are “very stable,” he clarified during an exchange program on Russian television, according to their translation.
Relationships ‘already entered a new era’
He added that Russia-China relations “have already entered a new era.” At the meeting, which was also attended by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Vladimir Putin praised the military cooperation between the two countries.
“We actively work through military departments, regularly exchange useful information, cooperate in the field of military-technical cooperation and conduct joint exercises,” Vladimir Putin said.
“This is undoubtedly another important area that strengthens the nature (…) of our relationship,” he added.
Li Shangfu’s visit to Russia, scheduled to last until April 19, follows that of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow in March. During this summit, the two leaders showed their understanding by posing as strategic allies determined to resist American hegemony.
Beijing has officially declared itself neutral since the conflict began, without ever condemning the Russian invasion. Xi Jinping has never spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.