Side Effects(?) of US Pressure... China and Russia Growing Closer Together

Defense Ministers of Both Countries Share Information on US Strategic Bomber Nuclear Weapon Use Training
Putin Confirms Attendance Promise at Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin, Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] The Russian Defense Minister has conveyed military intelligence to China that U.S. strategic bombers conducted about 30 nuclear weapons usage drills near the Russian border, further solidifying defense cooperation between the two countries. As the Western camp, including the U.S., continues to check China and Russia, the two countries appear to be uniting closely.

The B-1B 'Lancer' bomber, a strategic weapon of the United States, is flying over Seoul Airport in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, where the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) is being held on the afternoon of the 21st. (Photo by Yonhap News)

China's Ministry of National Defense announced on the 24th that Wei Fenghe, China's Minister of National Defense, and Sergey Shoigu, Russia's Defense Minister, held a video conference on the 23rd (local time). The meeting was attended by the commanders-in-chief of the Chinese Navy and Air Force, the commanders-in-chief of the Russian Navy and Air Force, and the commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Minister Wei said at the meeting, "The Chinese and Russian militaries have strengthened practical cooperation in various fields," highly evaluating the China-Russia relationship so far, and added, "The Chinese and Russian militaries have established new cooperation through joint exercises."

Minister Wei further stated, "To fully implement the important agreements between the two heads of state, let us work together. China wants to safeguard Russia's core interests and contribute to maintaining international and regional security and stability." He emphasized that China and Russia have become one like a great mountain, and the friendship between the two countries will never be broken.

In response, Minister Shoigu conveyed information about U.S. strategic bomber training to the Chinese side and stressed the urgent need for military cooperation between the two countries.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, Minister Shoigu explained to Minister Wei, "In recent months, about 30 flights of U.S. strategic bombers have taken place near the Russian border, which is about 2.5 times more than the same period last year." He added, "The U.S. bombers conducted nuclear weapons usage drills at a close distance of about 20 km from the Russian border."

The training pointed out by Minister Shoigu is interpreted as the Global Thunder exercise conducted by the U.S. Strategic Command starting from the 1st of this month. This exercise is held annually in the U.S. to check nuclear forces and mainly includes training for the three major nuclear forces: strategic bombers, ballistic missiles, and nuclear submarines.

Minister Shoigu also shared information about U.S. military flights over the Sea of Okhotsk last year. He told Minister Wei, "It has been observed that the number of flights by U.S. bombers near Russia's eastern border has significantly increased," and provided high-level intelligence that last year, U.S. Air Force strategic bombers conducted 22 flight training sessions. During the training, the U.S. military conducted simulated air-to-ship attacks using cruise missiles, Shoigu added.

Minister Shoigu said, "China is Russia's long-standing strategic partner," and added, "In the face of increasing geopolitical chaos and rising risks of conflicts in various parts of the world, strengthening Russia-China cooperation is particularly timely."

The two defense ministers are reported to have signed a '2021-2025 military cooperation' plan during this meeting, including maneuver exercises involving military aircraft and naval vessels from both countries.

Some express concerns that a military alliance between the two countries could be formed. Both countries have denied the possibility of a China-Russia military alliance, but last year, President Vladimir Putin stated that the possibility of a military alliance between the two countries could not be ruled out amid worsening conflicts between the Western camp and the socialist camp.

Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that President Putin will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Among world leaders, President Putin is the first to officially declare attendance at the Beijing Winter Olympics. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed this to the good tradition formed over many years between China and Russia of supporting each other's major events.

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