Zhang Shengmin, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission, met with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov today (November 3), where the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening military cooperation.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that during their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Vice Chairman Zhang stated, "Under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, China-Russia relations have entered a new stage of playing a more active role and developing at a faster pace."

He added, "China is willing to work with Russia to thoroughly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, continuously strengthen strategic communication, and more effectively safeguard each nation's sovereignty, security, and developmental interests, while firmly maintaining world and regional peace and stability."

According to Xinhua, Minister Belousov stated, "Russia is willing to maintain close cooperation with China, strengthen strategic consultations, and firmly uphold mutual support."

He also added, "We hope to expand practical cooperation across all fields and achieve greater outcomes in the development of bilateral and military relations."

This meeting has drawn attention as it took place on the same day Kyodo News reported that Kim Song-nam, an international department secretary of North Korea's Workers' Party of Korea, appeared to have arrived in Beijing after departing from Pyongyang.

Furthermore, the talks are interpreted as Vice Chairman Zhang stepping to the forefront of China's military diplomacy with Russia immediately following the confirmed purge of former Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, who was previously considered the Chinese military's number two figure.

During the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (the 5th Plenary Session), which concluded on October 29, the official expulsion from the party of high-ranking officials including military leadership figures like Zhang Youxia was ratified.

Amid a situation where vacancies on the Central Military Commission remain unfilled, Vice Chairman Zhang was also elected as a member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, drawing evaluations that his political standing has been reinforced.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)