Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu will pay an official visit to Russia from April 16-19, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on Friday.

Tan Kefei, the spokesperson of the ministry, said in a statement that the invitation was extended by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

During the visit, Li will hold talks with Russian military officials and visit a military academy.

Tan added that the military-to-military relations between China and Russia, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, have continued to develop at a high level, with new progress made in terms of strategic communication, joint exercises and pragmatic cooperation, which has helped enrich the strategic connotation of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

(Cover: Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry. /Chinese Defense Ministry)