Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, met with British Royal Navy's First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Alan West in Beijing on Tuesday.

Sino-British relations are better than ever, according to Cao, who went on to say that their furtherance complies with the interests of both nations, and facilitates world peace, stability and prosperity.

The ties between the two countries' militaries have been reinforced with frequent high-level visits and increased professional exchanges, he added.

West said recent years have witnessed closer exchange and cooperation between them. The British side hopes that this momentum will continue in years to come.

The two navies staged a search-and-rescue drill off the eastern coastal city of Qingdao. This is their first joint maritime exercise.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2004)