9th June 2023 – (Moscow) On Friday, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Army General Valery Gerasimov, held a video conference with his Chinese counterpart, Colonel-General Liu Zhenli, who was appointed to his position in March of 2023. The talks focused on the two nations’ military cooperation and their joint efforts in maintaining global stability.
During the call, Gerasimov praised the stabilising effect that coordinated efforts between Russia and China have on the global situation. He specifically mentioned the joint military exercises held by the two nations, both bilaterally and within the framework of organisations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the ADMM-Plus mechanism of defence ministers of ASEAN and dialogue partners. These exercises, Gerasimov argued, contribute to positive contacts in the defence sphere.
Gerasimov also stressed the importance of joint operational and combat training measures between the two countries, calling it a key area of further activity. He invited Liu to visit Russia at any convenient time, expressing his confidence that the talks would help “further bolster the Russia-China strategic defense partnership.”
Gerasimov congratulated Liu on his appointment and expressed his belief that Liu’s experience would help expand military cooperation between the two countries and further modernize the People’s Liberation Army of China.
The video call also touched on the recent visit of Chinese Defense Minister Colonel-General Li Shangfu to Moscow in April, which Gerasimov praised for its role in developing Russia-China interaction in the defence sphere. Gerasimov noted that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have confirmed their nations’ commitment to a comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, including deepening military cooperation.