What signal does "Mo An Hui" release?, The Third Meeting of Chinese and Russian Defense Ministers This Year

On the 15th, Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu held his third meeting with Russian Defense Minister Shoigu this year while attending the 11th Moscow International Security Conference in Russia.

Analysis suggests that this visit reflects the sustained high-level operation of the military relationship between China and Russia, and continuously enriches the strategic connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia in the new era. Faced with complex changes, China and Russia have always supported each other on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns.

Three meetings

The Mo'an Conference began in 2012 and is an annual international security conference organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The first Mo'an Conference invited 200 political and military experts from 50 countries to attend, including representatives from Europe, the United States, and Canada.

But after 2014, Western diplomats and the military began to refuse to attend. At the same time, China still sends senior military officials to attend the meeting. From 2021 to 2022, the MOA Security Council was adjusted to an "online mode" due to the COVID-19, and the Chinese defense minister made a video speech. And offline meetings have resumed this year.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, this conference attracted over 800 representatives from 76 countries to attend. The list includes China, India, Israel, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, etc., but there are still no western countries. Representatives from eight international organizations, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and ASEAN, were also invited to attend the conference.

The holding of the Mo'an Conference also provides another platform for the exchange of defense ministers between China and Russia. Since the beginning of this year, the two defense chiefs have met twice.

One time was during Li Shangfu's visit to Russia in mid April this year. That was his first foreign visit since being appointed as the Chinese Defense Minister in March this year. Russian media commented that this visit reflects the stability of China Russia relations. During Li Shangfu's visit to Russia, Russian Presidents Putin and Shoigu met with him.

The other time is at the end of April. At that time, the SCO Defense Ministers Meeting was held in New Delhi. Before and during the meeting, Li Shangfu and Shao Yigu briefly exchanged views on issues of concern to all parties. At that meeting, Shao Yigu also extended an invitation to colleagues from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for the Mo'an Meeting.

Some analysts believe that the military relationship between China and Russia continues to maintain a high level of operation, with new progress made in strategic communication, joint exercises, and practical cooperation.

In terms of strategic communication, in addition to the "three meetings a year" between the defense ministers of China and Russia, last month Russian Navy Commander in Chief Yevmenov visited Beijing and met with Li Shangfu. Both sides expressed their willingness to deepen and solidify the relationship between the two armies.

In terms of joint exercises, following the "North/Interactive 2023" joint exercise held by the Chinese and Russian navies in the Sea of Japan last month, the two sides have launched their third joint maritime patrol this month, with warships entering the waters of the Western and Northern Pacific.

support each other

During the Mo'an meeting, the signals released by China and Russia also drew attention.

The outside world has noticed that during the meeting between the defense ministers of China and Russia, Shao Yigu greeted Li Shangfu with a friendly greeting in Chinese.

Shaoigu said that cooperation between Russia and China takes place both bilaterally and multilaterally within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the SCO+. The two countries are strategic partners, good neighbors, and loyal friends, maintaining high-level military contacts.

Li Shangfu emphasized that the leaders of the defense departments of the two countries have frequent interactions, and the military relations between China and Russia have established a model of cooperation that is non aligned, non confrontational, and not aimed at third parties.

He also stated that Shao Yigu visited the Chinese booth at the "Military 2023" International Military Forum on the 14th, which is an incentive for Chinese companies.

In addition to the attention paid to the content of the talks between the defense ministers of the two countries, public opinion has also focused on the statements made by China and Russia in the "Mo'an Meeting" speech segment.

When discussing the Ukrainian crisis, Li Shangfu stated that the Chinese government will play a role in promoting peace talks. The outside world noticed that on the second day after the conclusion of the Jeddah Conference on Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Lavrov. Li Shangfu's trip may also involve communication with the Russian side regarding the Ukraine issue.

Analysts believe that military diplomacy is an important component of national diplomacy, and the multiple meetings between the leaders of the defense departments of China and Russia are of great significance in enriching the connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia in the new era. Faced with complex international and geopolitical security situations, China and Russia have always supported each other on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns.

Russian media pointed out that after his trip to Russia, Li Shangfu will also go to Belarus, which will be the first visit by China's defense minister to Belarus in five years. Strengthening military cooperation among the three countries will help maintain peace and stability in Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

Some comments suggest that joint military exercises, counter-terrorism operations, and defense technology between China, Russia, and Belarus will all be discussed. Overall, military cooperation between China, Russia, and Belarus is expanding, and exchanges are also relatively active.

Advocate for multipolarity

The news of deepening military cooperation between China and Russia and other countries will naturally cause some countries to be unhappy.

Western media has been hyping up military cooperation between China and Russia, which the Associated Press sees as "weakening the influence of Western countries.". There is also some public opinion that is full of jealousy: the defense ministers of China and Russia frequently meet, but the defense ministers of China and the United States have not been able to make an agreement.

Analysts believe that the close interaction between the high-level officials of the Chinese and Russian militaries is based on a high level of strategic mutual trust between the two countries. The West believes that "cooperating with Russia is opposing the West", which is obviously incorrect and reflects its consistent hegemonic thinking of forcing other countries to "choose sides".

The State Secretary of the Russian and Belarusian Union, Mezintsev, pointed out that Li Shangfu's visit to Russia and Belarus will strengthen trilateral cooperation. Visits should not be seen as a "special event", but as a successful practice of collaboration among the defense departments of the three countries.

According to analysts cited by Russia's satellite news agency, China, Russia, and Belarus share similar views and positions on important international affairs, opposing Western hegemony led by the United States and advocating for a multipolar world and multilateralism. China can facilitate peace talks during the Ukraine crisis, and Russia and Belarus firmly support China's principled stance. These are important foundations for the three countries to strengthen strategic cooperation.