China has pledged its support to Russia as tensions between both superpowers and the United States have deteriorated into diplomatic sanctioning. The Chinese military made it clear, that they support Russia in any conflicts with the U.S.

In his first visit to Russia, newly appointed Chinese Defense Minister Wei Feng attended the seventh Moscow International Security Conference accompanied by a delegation of other high-level military officials. Emphasizing that his trip was coordinated directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wei said that he had two major messages for Russia at a time when both nations were attempting to modernize their armed forces and strengthen their hands in global affairs in spite of U.S. fears.

“I am visiting Russia as a new defense minister of China to show the world a high level of development of our bilateral relations and firm determination of our armed forces to strengthen strategic cooperation,” Wei said at a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, according to the state-run Tass Russian News Agency.

“Second, to support the Russian side in organizing the Moscow International Security Conference the Chinese side has come to show Americans the close ties between the armed forces of China and Russia, especially in this situation. We’ve come to support you,” he added. “The Chinese side is ready to express with the Russian side our common concerns and common position on important international problems at international venues as well.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart command what’s often considered the world’s second and third most powerful armed forces, respectively, behind the U.S. While the Pentagon has managed to retain a comfortable lead against its leading competitors, Moscow and Beijing have coordinated closely as they both aim to close this gap and check U.S. influence abroad.

With China expanding its influence beyond its borders for the first time and the increasing boldness of Russia, their mercenary troops attacked a US base in Syria and the recent poisoning of an ex-Russian spy in the UK, things are just beginning to heat up.

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Photo courtesy Russian MOD