China’s Defense Minister and Russia’s Navy Chief Meet for First Military Talks Since Wagner Revolt

China’s Defense Minister and Russia’s Navy Chief Meet for First Military Talks Since Wagner Revolt
China's Defense Minister Li Shangfu delivers a speech during the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on June 4, 2023. Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images
The Associated Press
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BEIJING—China’s defense minister reaffirmed the country’s military relations with Russia during a meeting Monday with the head of Russia’s navy, the first formal military talks between the friendly neighbors since a short-lived mutiny by Russian mercenary group Wagner.

Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu told Russian Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov that the Chinese regime hoped for increased exchanges, joint exercises, and other forms of cooperation that would take defense ties to “reach a new level,” the Chinese Defense Ministry said after the two met in Beijing.