Senior military officers from China and Pakistan in Beijing Monday pledged to continue to push forward friendly relations of the two armed forces.

The two countries have forged an "all-weather friendship" since the founding of diplomatic relations 54 years ago, said Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission, in a meeting with Ehsan Ul Haq, chairman of Joint Chief of Staff Committee of Pakistan.

"As part of bilateral relations, relations of the two armed forces have also seen further development over the past years and made positive contributions to safeguarding each's state security and regional stability as a whole," Guo said.

"China will make continuous efforts to lift such relations up to a new height," Guo said.

The close and strategic tie with China constitutes a pillar of Pakistan's foreign policy, Ehsan said. "We will continue to enhance the friendship between the two armies."

Ehsan started the visit as guest of Liang Guanglie, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, from Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2005)