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Russia, China to boost military partnership, Shoigu says as PRC names new defense minister

In addition, Sergey Shoigu thanked Colonel-General Wei Fenghe, the outgoing Chinese defense minister, for his contribution to strengthening Russian-Chinese military cooperation

MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. Li Shangfu’s performance as China’s defense minister is set to help the development of military and military-technical cooperation between Russia and China, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said in a telegram he sent on Monday to the Chinese counterpart to congratulate him on the appointment.

"I express confidence that your activities in this post will contribute to the development of a comprehensive partnership and strategic engagement between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China in the field of military and military-technical cooperation," the telegram said.

The Russian minister wished Shangfu strong health, prosperity and success in his endeavors.

In addition, Shoigu thanked Colonel-General Wei Fenghe, the outgoing Chinese defense minister, for his contribution to strengthening Russian-Chinese military cooperation.

"Over the years of our cooperation, we have become not just colleagues or friends, but brothers," the Russian minister said.

According to Shoigu, Russian-Chinese military cooperation with the participation of Wei Fenghe was characterized by a high degree of mutual trust and reached a qualitatively new level. This was one of the main factors deterring the aggressive activities of the United States and its henchmen in the Asia-Pacific region, he added. Shoigu reminded that China was traditionally a co-organizer of the International Army Games competitions, as well as annual air and sea patrols in the Asia-Pacific region and the first Russian-Chinese operational and strategic exercise "Sibu/Interaction" in China.

Li Shangfu’s appointment as China’s defense minister was endorsed by the National People’s Congress on March 12.

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China Sergey Shoigu

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