MOSCOW, November 8. /TASS/. Cooperation between Russia and China in the military sphere is not directed against third countries, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at negotiations with the Vice-Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia in Moscow.

"Russian-Chinese military relations are developing steadily in all areas. We regularly conduct joint operational and combat training activities on land, in the air and at sea. We successfully practice combat training tasks of varying complexity shoulder to shoulder. All these activities are not directed against third countries and are conducted exclusively in the interests of each other," Shoigu said.

He recalled that his previous meeting with Zhang took place in China on the sidelines of the 10th Xiangshan Forum last week.

"Today we are holding talks in Russia. Such pace of military contacts testifies to the high level of military cooperation between our countries," Shoigu said, emphasizing that friendly relations of trust between the leaders of the two countries - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping - played a key role in strengthening Russian-Chinese strategic ties.

"This year, the heads of state have held two personal meetings - in Moscow and Beijing. We are focused on unconditional implementation of all agreements reached at the highest level," Shoigu said.