Russia, China draft defense cooperation plan for 2020-2021.

Russia and China have drafted a cooperation plan for the Defense ministries for 2020-2021 to be approved in the near future, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe.

Chinese Defense minister Wei Fenghe: "I believe the joint drills of Russian and Chinese men show a high level of shoulder-to-shoulder interaction." (Picture source: Youtube)

"Recently, we have held the 24th session of the Russian-Chinese intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation. We have discussed various issues related to further prospects for the years 2020 and 2021," Shoigu said. "We have developed a big plan of cooperation for the near future. I am confident that we will consider and approve it in the upcoming month," he continued.

Shoigu thanked the Chinese military officials who took part in the Center-2019 drills. "Nearly 1,500 Chinese military came to take part in the drills, a lot of equipment. Of course, they have demonstrated their high skills and training," the minister pointed out.

Shoigu expressed confidence that such drills would continue. "Of course, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation, our relations with the aid of such drills that took place in 2018 (Vostok-2018 maneuvers, which China participated in) and the ones that have taken place now," the minister stressed.

Wei said the joint drills confirm a high level of relations and help exchange combat experience. "I believe the joint drills of Russian and Chinese men show a high level of shoulder-to-shoulder interaction," he said and thanked Shoigu for the invitation to visit the active part of the exercise.

© Copyright 2019 TASS / Army Recognition Group SPRL. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.