Military exchanges between Russia and China are already well
established but more activities are planned for the Year of Russia
in China and the Year of China in Russia, said Russian Minister of
Defense Sergei Ivanov in Beijing on Wednesday.
Exchanges and visits between military personnel from the two
countries had soared in recent years and Russia regarded China as a
priority partner in military fields, said Ivanov at a press
conference.
The joint military exercise held in China last year gave Russian
officers and soldiers excellent opportunities to conduct exchanges
with their Chinese counterparts, he said.
This year the 'Russian Knights' present an acrobatic show over
three days in China as a prelude of the Year of Russia in China.
Sports, singing and dancing events had also been held by the
military departments of the two countries, he added.
The Year of China in Russia will open in 2007. A large range of
activities are arranged to mark the event including exhibitions,
business summits, cultural events and a whole range of other
activities.?
Ivanov is in China attending a meeting of defense ministers of
the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization which was held
Wednesday.
The defense ministers of China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan gathered in Beijing to discuss regional
security issues.
During the meeting Wednesday morning they reached consensus on
further strengthening defense cooperation and agreed to stage a
joint anti-terror military exercise in Russia in 2007. A joint
communique was issued at the end of the meeting.
(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2006)