The Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived Monday in Beijing for talks with his Chinese equivalent, who called on strengthening military cooperation between both countries.

Since the invasion of Ukraine on a large scale in February 2022 by both Moscow and Beijing, the alliance has caused anxiety in the West. Both countries are seeking to expand their influence globally.

Belousov, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, was to “hold several negotiations with China’s military and political leadership” during his visit.

The ministry published a video showing Belousov being saluted in Beijing by Chinese soldiers as an army band played Russia’s national anthem.

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In a meeting with Belousov’s Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, the Chinese defense minister called on both sides to “deepen their strategic collaboration” as well as “continue to advance their military relations.”

Dong, quoted in a government press release as saying: “Under President Xi Jinping’s strong leadership and that of President [Vladimir] Putin… China-Russian relations have reached a new high… serving as a role model for relations between major powers.”

Belousov said, at his turn, that “friendly relationships” between the two leaders “play an important role in strengthening strategic links,” according to Russian media agencies.

He said that the military cooperation between China, Russia and other countries played a key role in maintaining global and regional stability.

China and Russia announced a partnership with “no limitations” shortly before Moscow invaded Ukraine. Since then, the two countries have conducted a number of joint military exercises.

In August, President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia’s trade and economic links with China “return results” and that both countries were working together on “economic and humanitarian” projects.

Last month, Russian warships and Chinese warships conducted joint drills on the Sea of Japan as part of a major maritime exercise, which Putin described as the largest of its type in three decades.