Defense cooperation with China now more strategic, says Asryan

First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of Armenia, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, announced that Armenia and China have significantly strengthened cooperation across various fields in recent years, including defense. He made these remarks during a reception at the Chinese Embassy in Yerevan marking the 98th anniversary of China’s People’s Liberation Army, reports Armenpress.

“The modern Chinese army is 98 years old, but it draws inspiration from the millennia-old spirit of Chinese warriors who defended the country’s freedom and independence. For centuries, Chinese fighters have been a symbol of courage and dedication. Their unwavering loyalty and military professionalism have been the foundation of a creative force that helped the Chinese people endure extreme hardship,” Asryan said.

He emphasized Armenia’s active participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, noting its alignment with Armenia’s own Crossroads of Peace program. Yerevan, he added, values a shared development strategy with China focused on global peace and coexistence.

“Developing defense cooperation with China is a priority for Armenia’s leadership, and in this context, ongoing practical engagement at the level of defense officials is especially important. Our collaboration in the security field continues to grow stronger. In 2023 and 2024, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan attended the 10th and 11th Xiangshan Security Forums in Beijing, where he held productive meetings with China’s Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Minister of Defense. These talks have further stimulated the expansion of bilateral cooperation,” Asryan noted.

He added that annual bilateral programs include regular delegation visits, expert meetings, and collaboration in various strategic areas. Armenia’s military institutions have developed robust ties with China’s Academy of Military Sciences.

“We highly appreciate China’s decision to increase the number of places allocated to Armenian service members at Chinese military educational institutions. The international cooperation program between China and developing countries is delivering strong results. This year, Armenian specialists in communications, IT security, and public affairs—including defense and media personnel—have participated in seminars held in China,” he said.

Concluding his address, Lieutenant General Asryan expressed confidence in the sustainable development of Armenian-Chinese cooperation, adding that both countries plan to expand it in new directions in the near future.