BEIJING. Oct 30 (Interfax) - Moscow and Beijing are building their strategic interaction in contrast to hotbeds of tension engendered by Western countries' actions, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at negotiations with Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia in Beijing on Monday.
"Unfortunately, the military-political situation in the world is not getting calmer. New hotbeds of tension are emerging and older ones are worsening. In essence, this is a result of the West's reckless geopolitical ventures and egoistic neocolonial actions. Russia and China are building comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction in contrast to this generally worrying situation," Shoigu said.
"Our historically friendly relations remain highly dynamic and are strengthening along all avenues," he said.
Trusting contacts between the two countries' leaders play a special role here, he said. "They have had two in-person meetings this year. Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Russia in March. The first foreign visit after reelection to the top government office was Beijing's strategic choice in favor of stronger interaction with Moscow," he said.
On October 17-18, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing, where he took part in the Belt and Road Forum as the guest of honor.
"He had negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, at which they attached significance to more profound military cooperation using all interaction mechanisms," Shoigu said.
"Russia and China view each other as priority partners on the global arena," he said.
"Today's meeting will promote deeper ties between the two countries' defense ministries and help strengthen regional and global security," he said.
A ceremony of greeting the Russian delegation led by Shoigu, which involved a guard of honor and an orchestra, took place before the negotiations with Zhang.
Shoigu and Zhang met on the sidelines of the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum held in China.
Shoigu actively conversed with his counterparts from countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and others before the forum's plenary session,. In particular, he had brief exchanges with the heads of delegations from Belarus, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Nigeria, and other countries.