Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday signed a protocol to extend the period of validity of an agreement on mutual notification for launches of ballistic missiles and carrier rockets, upon approval from the heads of the two states.

On that basis, the militaries of the two countries are ready to strengthen practical cooperation and enrich bilateral relations, the two defense ministers said during a video conference.

China and Russia inked the agreement on October 13, 2009, and it was set to expire on December 16, 2020. The protocol, effective from Tuesday, extends the agreement's period of validity by 10 years.

The signing of the agreement is a vivid embodiment of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, MOFA spokesperson Wang Wenbin stressed that the signing of the agreement injects positive energy to the work of maintaining the international arms control system and provides a strong guarantee for maintaining global strategic stability.

"China is willing to continue to work with the Russian side, constantly enrich the content of the relationship between the two countries, deepen the pragmatic cooperation between the two armies, bring more benefits to the two countries and peoples, and make more contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability in the world," Wang added.

(With input from Xinhua)