China to build platform for military cooperation: MOD

Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Ren Guoqiang takes questions at a news conference in Beijing on October 26, 2017. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

The Chinese Ministry of Defense has shed light on China's military relations with the United States and Russia.

Speaking at a news conference, the ministry's spokesperson said China will create a new platform for international military cooperation.

CRI's Guan Chao has more. 

The news conference comes as the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping called for building a strong army, as socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era.

While meeting senior military officers earlier in the week, Xi Jinping urged the army to remain true to its original aspirations and keep its missions firmly in mind.

He asked the army to study and implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, following the paths of building a strong army with Chinese characteristics and promoting the modernization of national defense and the military.

Meanwhile, the news conference by the defense ministry briefed on Defense Minister Chang Wanquan's recent attendance at the ASEAN-China Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting and ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus.

According to ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang, China plans to hold joint military drills with ASEAN.

"China will further deepen friendly communication and pragmatic cooperation in military affairs with other countries, including those in the Asia-Pacific, to promote mutual understanding, trust and regional multilateral security dialogues. China and ASEAN have already reached an agreement on joint military drills and will hold consultations on technical details within this year."

During the meetings, Chang Wanquan also held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu.

The spokesperson said the two sides agreed to keep deepening their military relations. 

"The Chinese and Russian militaries have continued to maintain high-level and close ties since the beginning of this year. The two sides held two strategic consultations, three joint briefing meetings on anti-missile issues, and two phases of joint naval drills. China sent personnel to Russia for the International Army Games 2017 and held part of the game events for the first time. The two militaries will also launch a computer-simulated anti-missile drill within this year."

Commenting on US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to China in November, Ren Guoqiang said progress has been made in building mutual trust and enhance communication between the two countries' militaries.

"We would like to work with the US to promote mutual respect and deepen trust. We will focus on pragmatic communication and cooperation, as well as managing differences, so as to inject positive energy to the two countries' relations."

He added that more dialogues covering a number of areas between China and the US are scheduled to take place within this year.

For CRI, I'm Guan Chao.