Moscow hopes to deepen its military cooperation with Beijing to strengthen the national security of the both countries.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia’s Navy chief, Adm. Viktor Chirkov expressed his confidence Saturday that China and Russia would enhance bilateral military cooperation, the press service of the Defense Ministry on the Navy said.

China, with its Marine Corps, is one of the participants of Russia’s 2015 International Army Games held on August 1-15. The competition unites more than 2,000 foreign troops from 17 countries. The contests will be held in 11 different locations across Russia.

Earlier in the day, the Chinese team, currently engaged in a contest held at the Russian Caspian Flotilla, held the events commemorating the 88th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China.

"The text of Russia’s Navy chief, Adm. Viktor Chirkov's congratulation… read: ’I am confident that the Armed Forces, fleets of Russia and China will fully enhance military cooperation and strategic partnership to jointly address the issues of strengthening the national security of both countries," press-service representative Igor Dygalo said.

China is one of the key Russian partners in various fields, including energy sector, economy and military-technical cooperation.

Both countries are founding members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) economic and security bloc and the BRICS club of emerging economies, which also includes Brazil, India and South Africa.

Last month, Moscow and Beijing signed a protocol to conduct additional joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan at the end of August.