China defence minister to meet Russian counterpart in Moscow

Beijing: Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu is all set to visit Russia next week for meetings with his counterpart Sergei Shoigu and other military officials. China’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Tan Kefei said Friday that Li will also visit Russia’s military academy during his April 16-19 trip. “Sino-Russian military relations have continued to operate at a high level, and new progress has been made,” Tan was quoted as saying in a ministry news release announcing Li’s visit. Since the war erupted between Russia and Ukraine, China distanced itself from criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and blamed the U.S. and NATO for provoking Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping issued a joint statement declaring a “no limits” relationship between the two countries during a 2022 visit to Beijing. The “China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era” has been enriched by “strategic communication, joint exercises and practical cooperation” at the military level, Tan said. Li’s visit underscores China’s strengthening engagement with Russia, with which it has largely aligned its foreign policy in an attempt to reshape the world order to diminish the influence of the United States and other Western democracies. The trip follows an official visit to Moscow last month by Xi that emphasized how China is increasingly becoming the senior partner in the relationship as it provides Russia with political cover and an economic lifeline during its war on Ukraine. Officially, however, China remains neutral in the conflict and has yet to offer a full-throated endorsement of Russia’s actions. While Moscow and Beijing have said they would increase contacts between their militaries and stage more joint sea and air patrols and drills, the Chinese foreign minister said Friday that China would not be helping Russia with weapons, as the U.S. and other Western allies have feared. Military power in China is concentrated in the ruling Communist Party’s Military Affairs Commission led by Xi and two vice-chairs. An aerospace engineer by training, Li is under U.S. sanctions over Chinese purchases of Russian fighter jets and air defence missiles. He was appointed minister in March at the annual meeting of China’s ceremonial legislature. With inputs from agencies. Read all the  Latest News ,  Trending News ,  Cricket News ,  Bollywood News , India News  and  Entertainment News  here. Follow us on  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram .