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China’s military
ChinaMilitary

China says it’s open to more military cooperation with Russia

  • Beijing’s defence ministry says it is willing to take part in more joint drills and patrols as well as working to promote global peace
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirms the country’s ties with Moscow in his recent visit, but also offers to help bring an end to the war in Ukraine

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Xi Jinping visited Vladimir Putin in Russia earler this month, but no agreement on providing arms was reached. Photo: Reuters
Cyril Ip
The Chinese military is willing to boost cooperation with Russia, including more joint drills and air and sea patrols, the defence ministry said on Thursday.

The two countries would work together to build trust between their militaries, safeguard international fairness and justice, as well as implement the Global Security Initiative, a Chinese project to promote peace, Tan Kefei, a defence ministry spokesman, told a regular press briefing.

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Xi and Putin deepen China-Russia partnership in Moscow talks, but no Ukraine peace deal details

Xi and Putin deepen China-Russia partnership in Moscow talks, but no Ukraine peace deal details
“The Chinese military is willing to work together with the Russian military to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, further strengthening strategic communication and coordination,” Tan said, referring to the recent meeting in Moscow between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Earlier this month China, Russia and Iran held a five-day exercise in the Gulf of Oman, which Tan described as “enhancing the capabilities of the three countries to jointly carry out diversified maritime military missions, further deepening traditional friendship and practical cooperation, and contributing positively to maintaining maritime security”.

The exercise featured 12 ships from the three countries, with China – which has had a limited naval presence in the region until now – sending the advanced guided-missile destroyer Nanning.

Tan said China and Russia’s relationship was not like the alliances of the Cold War, because it was based on the principles of non-confrontation and did not target third parties.

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