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China’s new defence chief to visit Russia, marking a first since Ukraine invasion
- It will be the first international trip for Li Shangfu, who was appointed defence minister and state councillor in March
- Beijing and Moscow are seeking to shore up trust in the face of mounting geopolitical pressure from Washington and its allies
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Jun Maiin Beijing
China’s new defence chief will visit Russia next week, a first since the Ukraine war started, as Beijing and Moscow seek to shore up strategic trust in the face of mounting geopolitical pressure from Washington and its allies.
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Invited by his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu, Defence Minister Li Shangfu will kick off the four-day visit on Sunday and hold talks with Russian military leaders. He would also visit Russian military academies, Chinese defence ministry spokesman Tan Kefei, said on Friday.
Tan said relations between the two militaries were operating “at a high point”.
“New progress has been made in strategic communication, joint exercises and practical cooperation,” he said.
The visit will be the first by a Chinese defence chief since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year. Beijing has yet to condemn Moscow’s aggression but has said it wants peace for the two countries.
The trip will also be the first international trip for Li, who in March was appointed China’s defence minister and a state councillor – a position that ranks higher than average ministers in the State Council.
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