Putin: Russia and China Strengthen Military Cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated today, during a meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission, General Zhang Youxia, that "the importance of military cooperation between Russia and China is steadily increasing, but they do not intend to form a military alliance similar to that which existed during the Cold War." Putin informed General Zhang Youxia that "modern weapons will help ensure the security of the two countries." The Russian president accused NATO of stirring tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.