Russia and China deepen military ties, raise Western fears

Russia is strengthening its cooperation with China. On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in Beijing. According to the ministry's statement, he is expected to conduct "a series of negotiations with the country's military and military-political leaders."

Moscow and Beijing have been increasingly tightening their cooperation since the attack on Ukraine in February 2022. This alliance is causing concern in the West because both countries aim to expand their global influence. It also enables the circumvention of sanctions that the West imposed on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that during his visit to China, Belousov "will conduct a series of negotiations with the country's military and military-political leaders."

The ministry released a video showing Belousov receiving a salute from Chinese soldiers in Beijing while a military band plays the Russian national anthem.

China and Russia declared "boundary-less" cooperation just before Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the two countries have conducted a series of joint military exercises.

President Vladimir Putin said in August that Russia's economic and trade ties with China "are yielding results" and that both countries are working on joint "economic and humanitarian" projects.

Last month, Russian and Chinese warships conducted joint exercises in the Sea of Japan. They were part of large naval exercises, which Putin claimed were the largest of their kind in three decades.