BEIJING (Reuters) - China's new defence minister Dong Jun held a video call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday, according to a defence ministry statement, in his first public engagement since being appointed last month.
Former Navy chief Dong's appointment came after his predecessor, Li Shangfu, disappeared from public view in August, throwing China's military diplomacy in doubt.
The role of China's defence minister is to be the public face of the People's Liberation Army in its engagement with the media and with other armed forces.
China and Russia's close military ties have been the target of Western scrutiny, especially after Russia's 2022 invasion of its neighbour Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn.
Western countries, including the United States, have repeatedly warned China not to provide lethal aid to Russia's battlefield efforts.
Persons:
Dong Jun, Sergei Shoigu, Li Shangfu, Dong, Shoigu, Laurie Chen, Christopher Cushing, Sharon Singleton
Organizations:
Former Navy, People's Liberation Army, United States, U.S
Locations:
BEIJING, Russian, China, Ukraine, United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, South China, Beijing