BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s new defence minister Dong Jun held a video call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday, according to a defence ministry statement, in his first public engagement since being appointed last month.
Former Navy chief Dong’s appointment came after his predecessor, Li Shangfu, disappeared from public view in August, throwing China’s military diplomacy in doubt.
Dong told Shoigu that the Chinese and Russian militaries will “promote bilateral military relations to reach an even higher level, in order to play an even bigger role in upholding global security and stability”, according to the Chinese defence ministry readout.
Dong added that both militaries will “firmly respond to global challenges and continue to enhance mutual strategic trust”.
The role of China’s defence minister is to be the public face of the People’s Liberation Army in its engagement with the media and with other armed forces.
China and Russia’s close military ties have been the target of Western scrutiny, especially after Russia’s 2022 invasion of its neighbour Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn.
Western countries, including the United States, have repeatedly warned China not to provide lethal aid to Russia’s battlefield efforts.
Both militaries held joint air and sea drills in the Sea of Japan in July, while South Korea had to scramble fighter jets when Chinese and Russian military planes entered its air defence zone last month.
A crucial element of Dong’s job is to engage with the United States military to reduce the risk of conflict over Taiwan and the South China Sea.
High-level military talks between China and the U.S. resumed in December after being suspended for more than a year due to a dispute over Taiwan.
(Reporting by Laurie Chen and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Sharon Singleton)
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