BEIJING, November 23. /TASS/. The Russian-Chinese relations are currently at their best, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, Xu Qiliang, said during a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday.

"The Chinese-Russian relations are developing rapidly thanks to the personal efforts by the two countries leaders, and one can say that they are currently at the best phase in history," he said, adding that Russia and China are "walking shoulder to shoulder" in international affairs.

"This not only conforms to the fundamental interests of our countries but is also of great importance for ensuring peace and stability in the region and the world at large," the Chinese official said. He noted that relations between the two countries in the military sphere are developing quickly and dynamically.

Xu Qiliang expressed confidence that Shoigu’s visit to China "will play an important role in promoting further development of relations between the two countries."

He recalled that he visited Russia last November and travelled to Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Ufa and Moscow. "Wherever we went, we received a warm welcome from our Russian friends and the Russian defense minister personally, so I want to thank you once again for this," the Chinese military commander said.

He also noted that 2016 marks "the 15th anniversary of the signing of the treaty on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between China and Russia and the 20th anniversary of the Chinese-Russian relations of strategic cooperation and partnership." "These are two important milestone events in the history of the Chinese-Russian relationship," Xu Qiliang said.

Shoigu's visit 

The visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to China will contribute to the development of military-technical cooperation between the two countries, Chinese Defense Minister, Chang Wanquan, said. 

He noted that the 21st meeting of the Russian-Chinese intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation held in Beijing earlier in the day was a success. "I congratulate you on this," he told his Russian counterpart.

According to the Chinese defense minister, during today’s meeting the two sides are planning to discuss the prospects of bilateral military cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

The minister noted that this is his third meeting with his Russian counterpart this year after the meetings held in April and June.