Amid US-China Tensions... China-Russia Defense Ministers' Meeting "Strengthening Strategic Cooperation"

"Although a Satisfactory Meeting, Some Countries May Dislike It" Targeting the US and the West

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] The defense ministers of China and Russia held talks and agreed on strategic cooperation against the United States. This comes amid heightened tensions as the U.S. and China have recently engaged in high-level talks marked by confrontations.

According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense website on the 28th, Wei Fenghe (魏鳳和), Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, held a bilateral meeting with Sergey Shoigu, Russian Minister of Defense, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The bilateral meeting was held on the occasion of the attendance of defense ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in Dushanbe.

According to Russia's Interfax news agency, Minister Wei requested Minister Shoigu to observe the joint military exercises between the two countries, stating, "This meeting was not easy amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation," but added, "Both countries are satisfied with the meeting, but some countries do not like it. This is the essence of this meeting." This remark is interpreted as targeting the U.S. and other Western countries.

Furthermore, Minister Wei emphasized, "The firmness of China-Russia relations has become a very important force for global stabilization today," and stated, "Both sides must continue to strengthen comprehensive and all-weather strategic cooperation to maintain the stable development of bilateral relations."

Minister Shoigu responded, "Despite the situation of the pandemic spread, we have continued beneficial cooperation through joint efforts," and said, "I look forward to the next meeting in China and gladly accept the invitation to attend the joint exercises."

He also stated, "In recent years, cooperation between the militaries of the two countries has continuously expanded and achieved beneficial results, reaching an unprecedented level," and added, "Russia is willing to strengthen military and military-technical cooperation with China and maintain good momentum in joint exercises, military games, and academic exchanges."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.