China’s defense minister, Li Shangfu, has reaffirmed the country’s military relations with Russia during a meeting with the head of Russia’s navy. This marks the first formal military talks between the two nations since the brief mutiny by the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Li expressed the Chinese regime’s desire for increased exchanges, joint exercises, and other forms of cooperation to enhance defense ties. China, with the world’s largest navy, has held several joint maneuvers with Russia following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine. The military cooperation between China and Russia aligns with their shared opposition to the U.S.-led liberal world order. While China remains officially neutral in the Ukraine conflict, it has stood beside Russia and accused the United States and NATO of fueling the bloodshed. Despite recent developments making Russia the junior partner in the relationship, Putin still enjoys some support, as demonstrated by the upcoming virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization involving Russia, China, and India.