China Reaffirms Military Cooperation with Russia Following Xi’s Moscow Visit
China reaffirmed its intention to broaden military collaboration with Russia on Thursday, days after President Xi Jinping attended the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, commemorating the end of World War II.
The renewed commitment between the two countries comes at a time of heightened international tension, particularly due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, which began with its full-scale invasion in 2022.
President Xi’s visit drew criticism from Ukraine’s Western allies, who have accused Beijing of indirectly supporting Moscow through economic and political channels. Despite this, China continues to assert its stance as a neutral actor in the conflict and says it remains committed to peace efforts.
When questioned about military cooperation with Russia following Xi’s visit, the Chinese Ministry of Defense stated that bilateral military relations are “at a high level.”
Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said via a post on WeChat, “China’s military is ready to work alongside Russia to deepen strategic trust, enhance communication, and expand practical collaboration.”
He noted that these initiatives aim to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations in what has been described as a “new era.” Jiang added that the growing cooperation would also help “uphold and reinforce global strategic stability.”
Following his extended talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi said the China-Russia partnership adds “positive momentum” to an increasingly unstable world. He also criticized what he termed “hegemonic bullying,” in an apparent reference to U.S. influence.
Putin described the meeting with Xi as “warm and friendly,” referring to the Chinese president as a “dear friend.”
