During talks with Samuel Schmid, member of the Swiss Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports, Cao said the relationship between China and Switzerland has developed smoothly and the two countries have carried out effective cooperation in recent years.

Cao, who is also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, said China appreciates Switzerland's adherence to the one-China policy.

He said China holds positive views on bilateral military relations and hopes to strengthen and develop exchanges in this regard.

Schmid said that although Switzerland and China are geographically far, the two countries enjoy a traditional friendship and they have identical and similar views on many international issues.

Switzerland appreciates China's achievements in fields including politics, the economy and defense construction and is willing to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with China, Schmid said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2003)