Russian Defense Minister Praises Unprecedented Ties During Beijing Visit
SCMP · 3 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov wrapped up a visit to Beijing on Tuesday, meeting with People's Liberation Army General Zhang Shengmin, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. The encounter marked Zhang's first publicly reported meeting with a foreign minister since his elevation to the Politburo last week at a key Communist Party gathering. Both officials emphasized the strengthening of military cooperation and strategic coordination between their nations, with Belousov describing the partnership as having reached "an unprecedentedly high level."
Key Points
- Zhang Shengmin, the sole surviving CMC member apart from President Xi Jinping following anti-corruption purges, welcomed Belousov at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on November 3, 2026
- Belousov stated the Russia-China strategic partnership had reached "an unprecedentedly high level," grounded in personal contacts between Presidents Putin and Xi Jinping
- Zhang pledged to deepen military cooperation, praising the "quality improvement" and "upgrading" of ties that had "kept pace with the overall bilateral relationship"
- Both sides agreed to strengthen strategic communication, improve mutual trust in military affairs, and explore new areas of cooperation including military education and scientific innovation
- China has never denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine since 2022, insisting it remains a neutral party while calling for peace talks
Why It Matters
The meeting underscores the resilience of the China-Russia strategic alignment despite Western pressure, with Beijing positioning itself as a neutral broker on Ukraine while maintaining robust military ties with Moscow . Zhang's prominent role in receiving the Russian defense minister signals his growing influence in China's military hierarchy following his unprecedented midterm Politburo appointment .
The meeting underscores the resilience of the China-Russia strategic alignment despite Western pressure, with Beijing positioning itself as a neutral broker on Ukraine while maintaining robust military ties with Moscow . Zhang's prominent role in receiving the Russian defense minister signals his growing influence in China's military hierarchy following his unprecedented midterm Politburo appointment .