Russia's former defense minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Shoigu, who currently serves as secretary of Russia's Security Council, met Wang in Beijing on Tuesday.

China's foreign ministry says they comprehensively discussed strategic security issues, and reached new common understandings.

It says Wang told Shoigu that the two countries must remain firmly united and continue to cooperate to protect their common interests, as the international situation becomes more complicated and the two countries are facing increasing external challenges.

Shoigu reportedly said Russia hopes to promote close cooperation with China.