Russia says closer ties with China a priority

Beijing, Nov 18 (IANS/TASS) Strengthening and expanding ties with China remains Russia's overriding priority, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.

"Amid a highly volatile world situation, it becomes particularly important to strengthen reliable good-neighbourly relations between our countries," Shoigu said at talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan here.

"This is not only an important factor for security of states but also a contribution to peace and stability on the Eurasian continent and beyond," he said, adding that "regular private meetings between the leaders of Russia and China give a powerful impetus to development of bilateral partnership".

The minister noted that next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II.

"The peoples of our countries (Russia and China) took heavy casualties in it," Shoigu said.

"Russia and China's solidarity is of principal importance amid attempts to falsify history and glorify fascism."

Russia and China also started to regularly hold joint naval and anti-terrorism drills, the minister said, adding that the two countries' military forces "showed a high level of cooperation" during an operation to escort vessels carrying Syria's chemical weapons.

--IANS/TASS

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