SOCHI, September 7 (RIA Novosti)-President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that he believed the joint military exercises conducted by Russia and China in August had confirmed the strategic nature of bilateral cooperation.
During a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan, which Russia Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov also attended, Putin said: "I would like to congratulate you with the successful exercises that were held recently."
The president told the Chinese minister this was primarily down to the Chinese organizers of the event. Putin also said that Ivanov and other colleagues had told him about how well organized the events had been and how well Chinese soldiers had handled the latest Russian weapons.
"I am certain that your visit to our country will serve to enhance our interaction," Putin told the Chinese minister.
