Article Posted on : - Nov 10, 2010

BEIJING (PTI): China and Russia have agreed to further advance their military ties as Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov held talks with top Chinese leaders.

Serdyukov, on his one-day China tour Tuesday, met separately with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong and Defence Minister Liang Guanglie.

This is perhaps the first high profile meeting Xi, after his appointment to the Vice Chairman of the influential Military Commission last month which was largely viewed as an indication to succeed President Hu Jintao in 2012.

No details were revealed to the media whether Russia plans to sell any new weapon systems to China.

In the meeting with Serdyukov, Xi, hoped the two militaries would increase their efforts to facilitate the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination.

China attaches great importance to its relationship with Russia and will work with Russia to materialise the consensus reached by the two heads of state, official media quoted Xi as saying.

Guo hailed the development of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination, highlighting their close high-level contact, deepening political mutual trust and cooperation on culture and energy as well as economy and trade.

Guo said the joint statement signed by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in September had set the direction for the development of bilateral ties.

Ties between the Chinese and Russian armed forces had developed soundly with fruitful cooperation, Guo said.

Serdyukov said he had "substantial discussions" with Chinese leaders and officials despite the short stay.