World | Russia Now Russian, Chinese Militaries Get Cozier In visit to Beijing, Putin announces future exercises By Matt Cantor Posted Jun 6, 2012 8:13 AM CDT Copied Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, attends a bilateral meeting with China's Vice President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bejing today. (AP Photo/Ed Jones, Pool) Just days after the US announced plans for a boosted Asia-Pacific fleet, Vladimir Putin says his country will beef up its military relationship with China. Putin pointed to six days of drills near China's east coast in April: "They were the first of such exercises," the Russian president said today during a visit to Beijing, according to Reuters. "We have agreed with Chairman Hu that we will continue such cooperation." The AP notes that while China has long been a leading buyer of Russian fighters and subs, the post-Cold War relationship hasn't been free of mistrust. But ties has warmed steadily since Putin has been at Russia's helm. Read These Next RIP Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1967-2025. Cooling Job Market Opens Door to September C After jobs report, Trump fires BLS boss. Paula Deen announces an abrupt closure. Report an error