China’s Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe (right) meets Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on the sidelines of a meeting of defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 28, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING – Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe held talks via video link with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday. 

Both ministers agreed that the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has seen high-level development under the guidance of the two heads of state, according to a statement from China's Ministry of National Defense. 

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This year, the Chinese and Russian militaries have deepened cooperation in various fields, with new breakthroughs in the field of joint exercises and training in particular, the statement said. 

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The ministers also agreed to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance strategic coordination between the two militaries, and continue strengthening cooperation in such fields as strategic exercises and joint patrols, so as to safeguard the core interests of the two nations and make more contributions to regional and international stability, the ministry said in the statement.