China and Russia on Tuesday pledged to bolster military cooperation and hold joint naval exercises in a move intended to counter the United States' growing influence in the Asia Pacific.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Chinese counterpart Chang Wangquan and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on Tuesday, where both sides signaled mutual intent to strengthen bilateral ties amid concern of U.S. attempts to exert its political and military clout in the Asia Pacific.

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A China-Russia military alliance holds great potential, especially in the creation of a joint "regional security system," Shoigu said, as he emphasized Russia's willingness to develop the relationship across a wide range of areas.

In a bid to foster solidarity, the Russian delegation had drawn similarities between the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong and the supposed color revolutions in the Soviet, including in Ukraine, which both countries claim the U.S. and its allies had instigated.

Both sides also agreed to conduct joint naval exercises in the Mediterranean next spring, with another expected to be held in the Pacific.

Beijing and Moscow have ramped up efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in recent weeks, particularly in relation to an alliance in the Asia Pacific.

Faced with the prospect of new sanctions from the West over its alleged involvement in the Ukraine conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin has turned to China as he seeks to demonstrate there are still viable options and that the country is not completely isolated from the world.

China, on the other hand, has welcomed the overture as it seeks to reinforce its power over territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas.

Even so, observers say both countries remain wary of each other, owing to its long history of mutual contempt and distrust.

Despite Tuesday's vow to enhance military cooperation, Russia has, to date, refused to sell its advanced military equipment to China. Moscow is also pursuing relations with Japan - Beijing's World War II foe - and North Korea, which has seen strained ties with China as of late.

Meanwhile, China has sought to deepen cooperation with Finland, which also shares a long bitter history with Russia and has once again enforced a red alert for any possible signs of Russian intrusion, The Guardian relayed.

TagsRussia, military cooperation, Regional security, China-Russia relations, politics, Foreign Policy, U.S. pivot in Asia