(Newser)
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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.
