Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov is scheduled to visit
Beijing in early December to strengthen the strategic partnership
and military cooperation between the two countries.
The news was revealed by Zhang Qinsheng, assistant chief of
General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), currently
visiting Russia, China News Service reported.
Zhang heads the Chinese military organizing committee for the
twin "Russia Year in China" and "China Year in Russia" cultural
exchange festivals.
He said the precise timetable for a visit by the commander of
the Russian Navy Admiral Vladimir Masorin, who will lead a naval
fleet to China, has not been decided yet. These visits will fall as
part of the military programs contained within the "Russia Year in
China."
Zhang said he is working with his Russian counterparts to
finalize plans on eight cooperative military events to be held next
year.
The activities will include a joint military drill in Russia
under the aegis of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a
parachute show in Moscow, a performance by a PLA troupe and a road
trip for journalists along the border of the two countries.
Zhang said the "national years" between China and Russia
represent key decisions made by the leaders of the two countries to
deepen the China-Russia strategic partnership.
Military exchanges will help the two armies modernize,
conforming to the interests of the two peoples and conducive to
both regional and global stability and peace, said Zhang.
China and Russia held joint military exercises last year, involving
nearly 10,000 troops. They aimed to improve the armies'
capabilities to combat new threats, deal with crises and organize
coordinated actions in the backdrop of the fight against terrorism,
separatism and extremism.?
(China Daily October 19, 2006)