China and Russia have agreed to strengthen military coordination during a video call between their defence ministers on Tuesday (Jan 27). The two nations pledged to deepen strategic cooperation and enhance joint responses to global challenges, according to state media reports.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun told his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, that the two countries should "strengthen strategic coordination" and "enrich the substance of cooperation." The call came days after Russia and Ukraine held talks on a US-brokered peace plan, which Western governments accuse Beijing of indirectly supporting.
Belousov emphasized the need to "further strengthen our bilateral strategic partnership" and highlighted the importance of analyzing global security risks, including developments in Venezuela and Iran.
Deeper Dive & Context
Official Statements and Rationale
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, Dong Jun stressed the importance of improving exchange mechanisms and jointly addressing risks to global stability. The Chinese Defence Ministry’s statement noted that the two sides would work to "inject positive energy into global security."
Russia’s Defence Ministry did not mention the Ukraine conflict in its readout but acknowledged that recent global events had significantly impacted international security.
Western Concerns and Reactions
Western governments have previously accused China of enabling Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, though neither side addressed the conflict during this call. The US-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine occurred earlier this month, marking the first high-level negotiations since Moscow’s invasion nearly four years ago.
Broader Implications
The deepening military ties between China and Russia come amid heightened geopolitical tensions, including Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and China’s growing influence in global security matters. Analysts suggest that such coordination could reshape alliances and security dynamics in Eurasia.