No military bloc, say Russia and China amid growing partnership

On Wednesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and President Vladimir Putin, met in Moscow with the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, General Zhang Yu-xiu. As reported by the TASS agency, Shoigu stressed the significance of Russian-Chinese military collaboration, but denied any intent from Russia and China to create a military alliance.

"Unlike certain aggressive Western countries, we aren't establishing a military bloc. The relationship between Russia and China demonstrates a model of strategic cooperation based on trust and respect," Shoigu stated during a meeting with the Chinese general.

"Russia and China are not forming any type of Cold War-style military alliances. Our collaboration is constructive and serves as an important stabilizing factor in international relations," Putin later added, as reported by Russian media.

Shoigu recalled his latest meeting with Zhang Yu-xiu, which took place at a security forum in Beijing at the end of October.

"This ongoing communication shows the high level of collaboration between our countries," he emphasized. He mentioned that this year saw two in-person meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

In October, Putin had a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of a summit discussing the so-called new Silk Road plan, in Beijing. In March, the Chinese president came for a three-day visit to Moscow.