Shoigu in Beijing for Talks with Chinese Officials on Situation in Syria, Iraq, Libya

BEIJING-Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is visiting China, on Wednesday had a meeting with the Vice-Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, Gen Xu Qiliang, in the course of which he proposed to have a detailed discussion of the situation in Syria, Iraq and Libya, as well as the prospects for bilateral cooperation in the military sphere and in defense-related technologies, according to Itar Tass.

“Conflicts go on unabated and the scars that have appeared in Central and Eastern Asia don’t heal,” Shoigu said. “Standing out is everything that’s happening in North Africa and the Middle East and I certainly mean Syria and what’s going on in Iraq and Libya.”

 “I hope we’ll have an opportunity today to discuss the pressing problems in the sphere of security in the region and in other parts of the world,” he said. “I think we’ll have an opportunity to sum up the results of the past twelve months and to put forward the tasks for next year.”

“Unfortunately, the world hasn’t become any safer and new risks and challenges have appeared in it,” Shoigu said.

He also said Wednesday’s meeting offered a chance to make new steps in cooperation in defense and related technologies.

Chinese military official says Moscow-Beijing relations are at best phase in history

On his part, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, Xu Qiliang said during a meeting with Shoigu on Wednesday that the Russian-Chinese relations are currently at their best.

“The Chinese-Russian relations are developing rapidly thanks to the personal efforts by the two countries leaders, and one can say that they are currently at the best phase in history,” he said, adding that Russia and China are “walking shoulder to shoulder” in international affairs.

“This not only conforms to the fundamental interests of our countries but is also of great importance for ensuring peace and stability in the region and the world at large,” the Chinese official said. He noted that relations between the two countries in the military sphere are developing quickly and dynamically.

Russia, China implement military contracts worth $3bln in 2016

At the meeting with Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Yu Zhengsheng on Wednesday, Shoigu said that Russia and China fulfilled military and technical cooperation contracts worth $3 billion over the past year.

 “We have serious success in the military and technical cooperation area. We have reached the level of around $3 billion per year in performing various contracts. But all of them are implemented as part of mutually beneficial military and technical cooperation,” Shoigu said.

Yu Zhengsheng said that the 21st session of the Russian-Chinese intergovernmental commission on military and technical cooperation was wrapped up on Wednesday. “The sides achieved major agreements and signed a range of documents and deals. I congratulate you on this,” he said.

“I have heard that the Russian defense minister attaches great importance to developing military and technical cooperation with China and makes huge personal efforts here. I also highly appreciate this,” Yu Zhengsheng added.

H.M