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Chinese military to strengthen cooperation with Russian armed forces — official

Zhang Youxia added that Beijing is willing to strengthen friendship with the armed forces of African, Latin American, Caribbean and Arab countries

BEIJING, October 30. /TASS/. The Chinese People's Liberation Army plans to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Armed Forces, Colonel General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission, said at the opening ceremony of the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

"We will continue to deepen strategic trust and cooperation with the Russian military," he said.

Zhang Youxia mentioned Russia first in the list of countries with which China plans to develop cooperation. He also said the PLA plans to develop relations with the US Armed Forces based on the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Additionally, Zhang Youxia said China is willing to strengthen friendship with the armed forces of African, Latin American, Caribbean and Arab countries.

"We are also willing to expand military exchanges with European countries," he said.

According to a tally by the US National Defense University, Russia and China held the most joint military exercises in 2022 than in any other year over the past two decades. The two sides organized six joint exercises, with five of them taking place after the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine in February.

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