Defense chiefs of China and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday vowed to step up exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries.

Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan, in a meeting with his Congolese counterpart Chikez Diemu, reviewed the friendship between the two countries and hailed Congolese efforts to promote the peace process.

The armed forces of the two countries have enhanced their understanding and friendship through increased exchanges and cooperation, Cao said.

Now there are Chinese peacekeepers serving on UN missions in the DRC with most of them engaged in engineering, transportation and medical services.

"The Chinese armed forces would like to develop relations with the Congolese military in various fields," Cao said.

This was the first senior delegation visiting a foreign country since the founding of the new Congolese government in February 2007, Diemu said. "It shows the importance our government has paid to its relationship with China," he added.

Diemu said the DRC looks forward to stronger exchanges and cooperation with China, particularly in defense.

The DRC government will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, Diemu said.

The DRC delegation will also visit east China's provinces of Shandong and Jiangsu and south China's Guangdong Province.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2007)