Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong (L) shakes hands with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, Russia, May 10, 2015. (Xinhua/Dai Tianfang)
China is willing to work with Russia to deepen their pragmatic military cooperation so as to make new contributions to the in-depth development of bilateral relations, a visiting senior Chinese military official has said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War and his visit to Russia yielded fruitful results, Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, said Sunday when holding talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. [Special coverage]
Xi's Russia tour brought the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination to a new stage, Fan said.
Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during their talks to strengthen military exchanges between the two countries, Fan said, adding that China is willing to work with Russia to implement the significant consensus reached by the two heads of state.
Fan also congratulated the Russian side on the success of Victory Day celebrations and welcomed Russian military leaders and parade units to come to China for the celebration commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War in September.
For his part, Shoigu thanked China for sending servicemen to participate in the Red Square parade, and spoke highly of the well-disciplined military manner and high morale of China's guards of honor.
Russian and Chinese leaders attach great importance to military exchanges, he said.
In recent years, he added, the two sides have scored fruitful achievements in cooperation at the bilateral level, conducting high-level exchanges, defense consultations, joint military exercises and training, and personnel training, as well as in the field of defense and security within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The defense minister noted that strengthening military cooperation between Russia and China is conducive to safeguarding world peace and stability under the new circumstances.
Russia will stay committed to deepening military exchanges and advancing military ties with China, Shoigu said.
