Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Liang Guanglie said in Beijing Monday that China desires to improve its cooperation with Turkey.  

In a meeting with Ibrahim Firtina, commander of the Turkish Air Force, Liang said China takes an "active attitude" in fostering ties with the Turkish army and that he believed relations between the two armies will reach a new level.

Firtina said he hoped "substantial" progress will be made in promoting ties between the two armed forces. He also expressed his country's firm adherence to the one-China policy.

Firtina arrived here Sunday for an official goodwill visit to China from April 3 to 7, at the invitation of Qiao Qingchen, commander of the PLA Air Force.

The visit aims to promote understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two armed forces, particularly the two air forces, sources with the PLA air force said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2005)