MOSCOW. April 18 (Interfax) - Cooperation between the Russian and Chinese armed forces will be broadened over time, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said during negotiations with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu in Moscow on Tuesday.
Shoigu congratulated Li on being appointed Chinese defense minister, and wished him success in strengthening China's defense capacity and further modernizing the People's Liberation Army of China.
"I have no doubt that your vast experience of interacting with the Russian Federation will contribute to both the development of the Chinese Armed Forces and the expansion of military cooperation between our countries [...] I am hoping for the closest [possible] and most fruitful cooperation, in the spirit of unbreakable friendship between our countries and the armed forces of Russia and China," Shoigu said.
Russia appreciates the fact that Li chose Russia for his first foreign visit following his appointment as defense minister, just as Chinese President Xi Jinping did when he paid a state visit to Russia in March, Shoigu said.
"The Moscow summit was the main political event in Russian-Chinese relations this year. President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the highest level of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China. This needs to be developed through mutual and resolute support, including in the field of national security," Shoigu said.