China is aiming for ‘a new level’ of military ties with Russia, Beijing says

China reaffirmed its military relations with Russia and called on the two countries to take their defence ties to ‘a new level’ during a meeting today.

Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu told the head of Russia’s navy Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov that Beijing hopes for increased exchanges, joint exercises and other forms of co-operation, according to a release from his ministry.

The pair met in Beijing for the first formal military talks between the friendly neighbours since a short-lived mutiny by Russian mercenary group Wagner, which analysts say weakened Russian president Vladimir Putin’s position.

‘The Chinese and Russian navies have close exchanges and frequent interactions,’ the ministry quoted Mr Li as saying. 

‘It is hoped that the two sides will strengthen communication at all levels, regularly organise joint training, joint patrols and joint war games.’

Russia’s navy Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov (second-right) said China and Russia should ‘continue to expand exchanges at all levels of the two countries’ navies’ and ‘continuously push the relationship between the two militaries to new heights’

Yevmenov said the two countries should ‘continue to expand exchanges at all levels of the two countries’ navies’ and ‘continuously push the relationship between the two militaries to new heights’, Beijing’s readout said. 

China operates the world’s largest navy by number of hulls and vastly outstrips Russia’s navy in both size and technical ability.

The countries’ fleets have held a series of exercises and joint manoeuvres since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, as have their air forces.

The military co-operation embodies the Chinese and Russian governments’ informal alliance to oppose the US-led liberal world order.

They align their foreign policies and positions at the United Nations, where Beijing has consistently provided diplomatic cover for Moscow.

While saying it is neutral in the Ukraine war, China has stood solidly beside Russia, accusing the US and Nato of provoking Moscow and of fuelling the bloodshed by helping arm Ukraine.

China has refused to condemn the invasion or to refer to it as one in deference to Moscow but has also said it will not provide Russia with military assistance or weapons for the conflict.

Since the abortive rebellion led by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, China has said it backs Russian efforts to ‘stabilise the situation in the country’.

The march on Moscow that Mr Prigozhin launched and then called off last month posed the greatest challenge to Putin’s two decades in power.

Beijing said it supported Russia in ‘protecting national stability’ following the mutiny but leader Xi Jinping is yet to hold public talks with Putin over the incident. 

The chief of staff of Russia’s armed forces, Valery Gerasimov, said last month his country’s strong military partnership with China provided stability around the world. 

A Chinese warship sails during a military drill near Fuzhou, Fujian Province, near the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands that are close to the Chinese coast, China, April 8

Prigozhin called for Gerasimov to either resign or be sacked when he launched his mutiny on June 23. It is understood that Gerasimov remains in his post, although he is yet to be seen publicly since the failed insurrection.

The recent developments have very much made Russia the junior partner in the relationship with China. War-related sanctions have made the Russian economy heavily dependent on energy purchases from China and India.

Mr Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to meet on Tuesday at a virtual summit which will mark the Russian leader’s first multilateral meeting since the Wagner revolt.

The summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, a security grouping founded by Russia and China to counter Western alliances from East Asia to the Indian Ocean, is an apparent indication that Mr Putin still enjoys some support.