Xu Caihou, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Monday pledged to further expand China-Algeria military exchanges and cooperation when meeting with Ahmed Gaid Salah, Algeria's armed forces chief of staff.

 

China and Algeria enjoy traditional friendship and the two countries have set up a relationship of strategic cooperation in recent years, Xu said.

 

The two countries have fruitful cooperation in all fields, he said.

 

China appreciates Algeria government's one-China stance and its support to China in international affairs, Xu said.

 

China will make joint efforts with Algeria to push forward the military exchanges between the two countries, said Xu.

 

Salah said the Algeria government and people appreciate China's support and assistance when they pursued independence and constructed the country.

 

He said the Algeria armed forces is willing to continue to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese army in various fields.

 

After the meeting, Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Liang Guanglie held talks with Salah.

 

Salah arrived in Beijing Monday on an official, goodwill visit to China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2006)