In Beijing, Russia’s Defense Chief Hails Shared Views With China

Russian defense minister’s meetings with top Chinese general and officials in Beijing, days ahead of an expected visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Russia.

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov attends the APEC Leader's Dialogue with APEC Business Advisory Council in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC summit, in Bangkok on Nov. 18, 2022. Sakchai Lalit/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

China and Russia publicly reinforced their alliance as their top defense officials met in Beijing, rebuffing U.S. pressure ahead of an expected meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Russia next week.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov met on Oct. 15 with Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Military Commission, a top military decision-making body chaired by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.