China’s defense minister and Russia’s navy chief meet for 1st military talks since Wagner revolt

News Snapshot:

BEIJING (AP) — China’s defense minister reaffirmed the country’s military relations with Russia during a meeting Monday with the head of Russia’s navy, the first formal military talks between the friendly neighbors since a short-lived mutiny by Russian mercenary group Wagner. Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu told Russian Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov that China hoped for increased exchanges, joint exercises and other forms of cooperation that would take defense ties to “reach a new level,” the Chinese Defense Ministry said after the two met in Beijing. “The Chinese and Russian navies have close exchanges and frequent interactions,” the ministry quoted...