Russia and China issued a joint statement on bilateral military ties Monday upon the conclusion of a visit by a senior Chinese military official.

The two countries have agreed to further enhance military exchanges at various levels and keep strategic coordination so as to better deal with new challenges and threats from regional and global security issues, says the statement.

The two sides would continue to hold regular bilateral anti-terror drills and participate in military exercises within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), it says.

The two armies also decided to further improve the top-level strategic consultation mechanism, as the next round of dialogue will be held in Beijing by the end of 2011.

Besides, joint efforts in military education and student training would also be strengthened in the future.

Chen Bingde, chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army of China, paid a six-day visit to Russia.

Russia is the first leg of Chen's three-nation tour, which will also take him to Ukraine and Israel.