For his first visit abroad since his appointment, the Chinese Minister of Defense Li Shang Fu chose to go to Russia. “In order to emphasize the special nature and strategic importance of our bilateral relations,” he said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.
“We have very strong ties, which go beyond the military-political alliances of the Cold War era” and are “very stable”, he specified, during an exchange broadcast on Russian television, according to their translation.
Relations “already entered a new era”
He added that relations between Russia and China had “already entered a new era”. During this 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.
This visit by Li Shangfu to Russia, which is due to last until April 19, comes after that of Chinese President Xi Jinping in March in Moscow. During this summit, the two heads of state displayed their good understanding, posing as strategic allies determined to resist American hegemony.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Beijing has declared itself officially neutral, without ever condemning the Russian invasion. Xi Jinping has never spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.