Now Russian, Chinese Militaries Get Cozier

In visit to Beijing, Putin announces future exercises
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 6, 2012 8:13 AM CDT
Now Russian, Chinese Militaries Get Cozier
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, attends a bilateral meeting with China's Vice President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bejing today.   (AP Photo/Ed Jones, Pool)

Just days after the US announced plans for a boosted Asia-Pacific fleet, Vladimir Putin says his country will beef up its military relationship with China. Putin pointed to six days of drills near China's east coast in April: "They were the first of such exercises," the Russian president said today during a visit to Beijing, according to Reuters. "We have agreed with Chairman Hu that we will continue such cooperation." The AP notes that while China has long been a leading buyer of Russian fighters and subs, the post-Cold War relationship hasn't been free of mistrust. But ties has warmed steadily since Putin has been at Russia's helm. (More Russia stories.)

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