MOSCOW: Admiral Alexander Moiseev, the newly-appointed navy chief of Russia, will participate in a major military conference in ally China, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Saturday. This development comes amidst growing Western criticism of the close ties between Russia and China.
As per the report, Admiral Moiseev will attend the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) in Qingdao, China, where he is expected to engage in bilateral meetings, including discussions with China’s top navy officials. The conference is scheduled to take place on April 22-23, with Moiseev’s visit extending until April 25.
The decision to send Admiral Moiseev to China underscores the deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing, despite increasing scrutiny from Western nations. The visit follows recent remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who condemned China’s support for Russia’s defense industry, accusing Beijing of enabling Moscow’s military endeavors in Ukraine by supplying critical components for weaponry.
Admiral Moiseev assumed the role of acting chief of the Russian navy last month, succeeding Nikolai Yevmenov, and was subsequently appointed to the position permanently. His participation in the WPNS conference signals Russia’s commitment to bolstering strategic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly with China, its principal global ally.
According to Xinhua news agency, the theme of the naval symposium is “Seas of Shared Future,” and it will convene navy representatives from 29 countries, with over 180 participants expected to attend. The event aims to foster dialogue and cooperation among maritime stakeholders, including discussions on maritime security and shared interests in the region.
