Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu salutes the audience before delivering a speech during the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue Asia security summit in Singapore in June 2023. (AFP-JIJI)

The Chinese Defense Minister, Li Shangfu, is scheduled to visit Russia and Belarus this week, as confirmed by an online statement from the Ministry of Defense on Monday.

At the invitation of the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, Li Shangfu, as the State Councillor and Defense Minister, will participate in the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security and conduct a visit to Belarus from August 14 to 19, as stated by a spokesperson from the Chinese Defense Ministry.

During his visit to Russia, Li will deliver a speech at the international security conference and hold meetings with defense leaders from various countries, including Russia. Last month, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned that Putin was planning to visit China in October. In March, Chinese President Xi Jinping conducted a state visit to Moscow, signaling the initiation of a new phase in their bilateral relations.

In recent times, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Wang commended the "practical cooperation" between the two countries and expressed the need for sustained strategic coordination to advance global multi-polarization and democratization of international relations, as outlined in a statement by China's foreign ministry.

China and Russia maintain a strategic alliance, frequently highlighting their extensive partnership and collaboration spanning both economic and military domains. Their relationship has deepened notably since Russia's military operation in Ukraine began in February of the previous year, coupled with subsequent economic sanctions imposed by Western nations. Notably, China has deliberately refrained from condemning Russia's actions.