China has supported Russia on the “Ukrainian issue” and will continue to cooperate with it despite pressure from the United States and Europe, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun said on Wednesday during talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun held talks on January 31 via video link. The representatives of the states discussed issues of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence, as well as confronting global challenges.
Shoigu congratulated the Chinese defence minister on his appointment and expressed hope that the talks would only contribute to strengthening the commonwealth of the two countries.
In response, the head of the Chinese defence ministry said that Beijing would not give up cooperation with Moscow despite pressure from Western countries. He said China will continue to support Russia amid Western attempts to isolate it. Dong Jun said:
We have given you support about the Ukraine issue, even though the US and Europe continue to pressurise the Chinese side. Even the defence cooperation between China and the EU (has) come under attack, but we will not change or abandon our established policy because of this. And they shouldn’t and won’t be able to interfere with normal Russia-China co-operation.
The new minister Dong became the top commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in 2021.
