The Chinese Defense Minister, Colonel General Li Shangfu, is scheduled for an official visit to Russia from April 16 to 18, during which he will hold talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The information comes from the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense, which reiterated the purpose of the trip as reinforcing bilateral defense ties and addressing broader security concerns on both regional and global stages.
Officials described the discussions as a platform to explore tangible avenues for cooperation in defense, including joint projects, exchanges, and coordinated responses to emerging challenges that affect both nations. The two ministers are expected to review ongoing initiatives and set the agenda for future collaboration that could span modernization efforts, military education, and coordinated strategic communications within the defense sphere.
Li Shangfu’s sojourn to Russia marks his first international engagement since taking the helm of China’s Ministry of National Defense in March 2023. The visit underscores Beijing’s intent to maintain robust lines of communication with Moscow and to reinforce mutual understanding on issues related to security architecture, regional stability, and defense modernization strategies that impact both countries and their strategic partners.
According to official channels, Colonel Tan Kefei, a senior figure who previously served as the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Defense, is traveling to Russia at Shoigu’s invitation as part of the broader delegation. He is anticipated to participate in meetings with senior Russian military leaders and to visit key Russian military academies, where exchanges with Chinese counterparts may focus on education, training standards, and the sharing of best practices in doctrine development and operational planning.
Beyond the formal talks, Kefei indicated that the Chinese military intends to expand cooperation with Russia across multiple domains, including enhanced strategic communication and coordinated actions. The overarching goal is to strengthen interoperability in areas of mutual interest and to build a stable, predictable security environment through sustained dialogue and trust-building measures between the two armed forces. The trip is also viewed as a signal of resilience in the bilateral relationship amid evolving regional dynamics and global security concerns.