China newly appointed Defence Minister meets Russia counterpart

Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu after attending a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. The Chinese defense chief vowed to take military cooperation with Moscow to a new level.

Li said that the visit was to demonstrate to the outside world the high level of China-Russia relations and to show the firm determination to strengthen strategic cooperation between the two militaries. Li’s trip follows last month's three-day state visit to the Russian capital by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Putin and Xi also vowed to further develop military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing and conduct more joint sea and air patrols.