Chinese Defense Minister visits Russia and Belarus despite Western objections

(Patria) - Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu visited Russia and Belarus in a show of support for nations that the West has sought to isolate over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, AP reported.

Li embarked on a six-day trip on Monday, during which he will address the Moscow Conference on International Security and meet with defense leaders from Russia and other countries, the Ministry of Defense announced.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to speak at the conference on the topic of

"The pursuit of development paths outside Western mechanisms by the majority of the world's countries, including strengthening new-type multilateral associations," TASS reported. It was stated that representatives from about 100 countries and eight international organizations were invited to attend.

"Various aspects of security will be discussed in the context of establishing a multipolar world order, ways to restore constructive international cooperation in the context of aggressive demands by Euro-Atlantic elites for world domination," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

When asked about the visit, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin referred to the Ministry of Defense's statement but added that Chinese and Russian leaders "have maintained strategic communication in various ways on various issues."

Li's presence at the conference further underscores China and Russia's desire to align their foreign policies in an attempt to undermine the liberal-democratic world order led by the West, despite their economic and reputational costs.

This will be followed by a visit to Belarus, whose territory was partly used to carry out last year's invasion of Ukraine. There he will hold meetings and talks with Belarusian state and military leaders and visit military facilities, the ministry said.