Chinese Army Chief of Staff Liu Zhenli spoke today via video link with Russian Federation Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov on expanding cooperation between the two countries' armies. This was announced by the Chinese Defense Ministry in a statement stating how Liu and Gerasimov discussed deepening cooperation between the two countries' armies, as well as that Russia will be invited to participate in a military exercise organized by the Chinese side, it said. Reuters.

"The parties jointly reaffirmed that Russia, responding to an invitation, will participate in the North. Interaction-2023 exercises organized by China." The Chinese ministry said the Russian Aerospace Forces and the People's Liberation Army Air Force conducted the sixth joint air patrol over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu said at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore on June 4 that China will continue to deepen bilateral and multilateral exchanges in international military cooperation and participate in military exercises jointly with Russia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Gerasimov, for his part, said after the conversation with Liu that Russia and China will continue to expand military cooperation, TASS reported. Gerasimov invited his Chinese colleague to visit Russia. “The practice of joint combat and operational training of the Russian and Chinese militaries should remain an important area of further activity,” Gerasimov said.