Chinese and Russian defence leaders discuss closer military cooperation in Beijing
Andrei Belousov met Zhang Shengmin in the Chinese capital as both governments promoted their military relationship. Zhang called for stronger strategic communication and mutual trust; Belousov sought broader practical cooperation. Their statements preceded a regional summit in Shenzhen later in November, which Vladimir Putin said he intended to attend.
Geopolitics··Night
Meeting in the Chinese capital
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov met Zhang Shengmin, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, in Beijing on 3 November. The commission directs China’s armed forces under President Xi Jinping. SBS reported that the talks took place at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a government venue for high-level meetings. Both sides described an intention to strengthen military cooperation. Belousov’s ministry said the wider relationship rested on personal contacts between Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their accounts presented the meeting as part of the two governments’ continuing military and political exchanges.[1], [2]
Communication and mutual support
Zhang said China wanted closer strategic communication and implementation of understandings reached by the two presidents. According to the Chinese Defence Ministry’s statement reported by AFP, he also called for greater mutual trust between the militaries. He linked that work to protecting each country’s sovereignty, security and development interests. Belousov said Russia wanted to maintain close cooperation and mutual support, and expand practical collaboration across different fields. His ministry described bilateral ties as being at their highest level. Those descriptions were official assessments by the two participants, rather than independently measured results of military cooperation.[1], [2]
Exercises and November summit
China and Russia have conducted regular joint military exercises in recent years. Moscow has pursued a closer relationship with Beijing since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. China has called for peace talks while declining to condemn that invasion. The Beijing meeting came before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for 18–19 November in Shenzhen, southern China. Putin said he intended to attend, while US President Donald Trump said he might take part. The Kremlin said in September that Putin and Trump had discussed the idea of a three-way meeting with Xi at that summit.[1], [2]
SBS placed the meeting after changes in China’s military leadership. It reported that a Communist Party plenum ending on 29 October had ratified the expulsion of senior figures including former commission vice chairman Zhang Youxia. Zhang Shengmin was also elected to the party’s Political Bureau while commission vacancies remained unfilled.[1]
