KUBINKA, Moscow region. Aug 15 (Interfax) - The attention of Russian military commanders to Chinese products inspires Chinese manufacturers and promotes the development of bilateral cooperation, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu said.
"I have heard that the Russian defense minister visited the Chinese exposition yesterday. This is a source of great inspiration for our enterprises, which will continue active participation in such forums," Li said at a working meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on the sidelines of the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security on Tuesday.
Li said he would like to discuss the prospects of cooperation between the Chinese and Russian armed forces at the meeting. "Same as it happens in interstate relations, our armed forces maintain an intensive exchange, including that at a high level," he said.
"This is our third meeting since the beginning of the year. I have not had such intensive contacts with any other defense ministers. This is proof of the high level and special nature of relations between our states and armed forces. This also proves our good working relationship and personal friendship," Li said.
"Chinese-Russian relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction have set a good example of a new type of relations between world powers" in recent years under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said.
The Chinese president paid his first foreign visit after reelection to Russia, and a number of important agreements were reached with the Russian head of state, Li said.
"President Putin personally received me during my visit in April. I see this as a great honor," he said.
Earlier this year, the Chinese president met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko who visited China one after another, Li said.
"Such an intensive strategic dialogue between the two countries deepens every aspect of cooperation and continues to enrich Russian-Chinese relations," he said.