MOSCOW, July 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Russia and China agreed Tuesday to hold
a joint military exercise next year, the first conducted by the two
countries' since a joint naval exercise in 1999, a Chinese delegation
visiting Russia told Xinhua in an exclusive press statement.
However, the memorandum, signed by Russian Defense Minister Sergi
Ivanov and General Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of the Central Military
Commission of China, did not disclose the exact location, date or scale of
the exercise.
The Chinese delegation, led by General Guo, said the exercise aims to
confront current new challenges with joint efforts and safeguard world
peace and that the two countries' general staffs will later discuss the
scope of the operation.
Ivanov hailed the development of military cooperation with China
during his talks with Guo, who arrived here Monday on a five-day official
goodwill visit to Russia.
Relations between the Russian and Chinese military have enjoyed
smooth development and effective bilateral cooperation and exchanges have
been achieved, Ivanov said.
Noting that Russia cherishes relations with China, Ivanov expressed a
willingness to strengthen bilateral military cooperation within the
framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and make it a key
force in maintaining safety and stability in central Asia.
Guo said the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation has
witnessed further development and bilateral political, economic and
cultural cooperation has yielded fruitful results.
He pointed out that military relations between Russia and China
constitute a key component of the bilateral partnership and the
relationship between the two armies is developing on a healthy and stable
path.
The China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation plays an
important role in safeguarding world peace, global security and stability,
Guo said, expressing the hope that the two neighboring countries would
make more efforts for the world's peace and development.
Guo's entourage includes senior officers of the Beijing Military Area
Command, the Second Artillery Corps, the Chinese Navy and the Air
Force.
The navies of China and Russia launched their first joint military
exercise in October 1999 during the Russian fleet's visit to China.