Chinese defense chief to visit Russia, Kyrgyzstan, attend Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun will visit Russia and Kyrgyzstan on a six-day trip starting Thursday, China’s Defense Ministry announced.

Dong will attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers’ meeting in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, according to the state-run news agency Xinhua.

During the meeting, he will deliver a speech and meet delegation heads to discuss international and regional issues, as well as defense and security cooperation, the ministry said.

SCO members include China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus.