BEIJING, August 27 (RIA Novosti) – Constructive relations between Russia and China are important for international stability and security, the head of Russia’s General Staff of the Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, said after talks with his Chinese counterpart Fang Fenghui and Vice Central Military Commission Chairman Fan Changlong in Beijing Wednesday.
“We put great importance on the development of military links with China. Russia highly appreciates the state of and the prospects for the military departments’ cooperation. Today, this is especially important,” Gerasimov told the press.
Among other issues, the general staff chiefs discussed regional security.
“The military and political state of the region is characterized by the high pace and contradictory character of events. On the one hand, the intention to search for new forms of political and economic interaction is increasing. On the other, there is a political tension in the region Gerasimov said.
At the second meeting, Gerasimov and Fenghui shared their opinions on the military and political situation and other countries’ approaches to army combat training.
The Chinese representatives noted the importance of the Russian military officials’ visit to China.
“Russia is our reliable neighbor and partner, I would like to note the deep level of our relations,” Fenghui said.
Russian and Chinese military forces cooperate on a regular basis within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In particular, the two nations, along with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, are taking part in the “Peace Mission 2014” anti-terrorist drills, held at China’s Zhurihe training base on August 25-29.
