China, Russia vow to enhance military ties

Top Chinese and Russian military officers Wednesday pledged to further enhance bilateral military ties.

Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), told Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, that the development of relations between the two countries and the two armed forces have maintained good momentum in recent years, Xinhua reported.

The two sides conducted fruitful cooperation in areas of high-level exchanges, strategic consultation, joint military exercises and others, said Fan.

China is willing to work with Russia to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of states, continue to enhance mutual support and coordination, expand depth and width of cooperation so as to jointly safeguard regional stability and world peace and development, said Fan.

During his speech, Gerasimov said the bilateral state-to-state and military-to-military ties between China and Russia have entered a new stage.

He said Russia is ready to make joint efforts with China to lift the bilateral ties to a new high.

The two sides also exchanged views on the regional and international situation as well as military reforms.

Gerasimov will attend the meeting of the chiefs of general staff of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members being held in Beijing Thursday.

Founded in 2001, the SCO consists of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.