Russia, China discuss defence cooperation

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu have discussed defence cooperation in Moscow.

During the talks, Shoigu said that coordination between Russia and China on the world stage "has a stabilising effect on the situation in the world".

"Russia and China coordinate in the preparation of joint patrols and exercises in bilateral and multilateral formats and should give each other strong support in matters of military cooperation," the Zvezda TV channel quotes the Russian defence minister as saying.

According to Shoigu, Russia and China should strongly support each other, including on national security issues.

China's newly appointed Defence Minister Li Shangfu arrived in Russia on April 16 for his first overseas visit since his appointment to the post.

The trip comes against the backdrop of heated speculation about Chinese arms shipments to Moscow, which Beijing officially denies.