China’s defense minister promises to boost cooperation with Russian ally Belarus

By YURAS KARMANAU
Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has visited Belarus and said his country would increase military cooperation with Russia’s neighbor, where Moscow is deploying tactical nuclear weapons. Li met with strongman President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk and said “the purpose of my visit to Belarus is precisely the implementation of important agreements at the level of heads of state and the further strengthening of bilateral military cooperation.” Neither side gave details of what the cooperation will entail, but the two countries have agreed to hold joint military exercises next year. Li visited Russia just before going to Belarus.