High-ranking officers of Chinese and Russian armed forces on Tuesday held talks in Beijing discussing issues of common concern, including arms control and anti-terrorism.

 

Zhang Qinsheng, assistant chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Alexander Rukshin, deputy chief of General Staff of the Russian armed forces, jointly presided over the consultations.

 

Zhang and Rukshin exchanged views and reached broad consensus on regional and international situations, major international issues, and other issues concerning arms control, anti-terrorism and construction of the armed forces.

 

The Chinese and Russian armed forces have set up a regular consultative mechanism between the two general staffs since 1997. The consultation, held once a year in Beijing and Moscow in turn, is regarded by the two sides as an important channel to reinforce mutual trust and cement exchanges and cooperation.

 

Tuesday's talk is the tenth round of consultations between the two general staffs.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2006)