In a statement released on its website on Thursday night, China’s defence ministry said the two sides had “an in-depth exchange of views on the relations between the two countries and the two militaries, the international and regional situation and issues of common concern, and reached consensus on strengthening high-level exchanges and deepening practical cooperation”.

On Wednesday in Moscow, representatives from China and Russia discussed missile defence and strategic stability, according to Russia’s foreign ministry.

The Russian delegation was headed by Andrey Malyugin, special representative for strategic stability, while the Chinese side was headed by Li Chijiang, deputy director general of the foreign ministry’s department of arms control and disarmament, according to the statement.

“They conducted in-depth discussions on the aforementioned issues, including a joint analysis of destructive factors posing strategic threats to global and regional security, and exchanged views on solutions,” the statement said.

Russia’s foreign ministry said both sides had expressed “satisfaction with the level of dialogue and cooperation in relevant areas and agreed to continue deepening cooperation”.