BEIJING:Close allies China and Russia on Tuesday agreed to further deepen defence cooperation amid US efforts to reassert influence in the Western Hemisphere under its new security strategy widely termed as “Donroe Doctrine”, challenging Beijing and Moscow’s influence.

Defence Minister Dong Jun held a video conversation with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov, China’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Dong stressed the importance of relations with Russia’s Defence Ministry amid the changing international situation, Russia’s state-run Tass news agency said.