VLADIVOSTOK, July 31 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Foreign Minister called China Russia's strategic partner in the defense sphere. "We [Russia and China] are strategic partners, including in the sphere of defense," he said. Speaking about the reasons for the Russian-Chinese bilateral maneuvers in August 2005, the minister said, "We have actively participated in joint military exercise with the U.S., leading NATO countries, India and Japan recently. I do not see any reason why we cannot do it with China, as well."
Sergei Ivanov attended a sea parade in the Amur Bay on Sunday in Vladivostok dedicated to the Russian Navy Day.
