The armed forces of China attach importance to relations of friendly cooperation with their New Zealand counterpart, said Liang Guanglie, chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Beijing Monday.  

Friendly relations between the two countries' armed forces are enjoying sound development with frequent high-level exchanges and extensive cooperation in such fields as naval visits, training and military academic exchanges, said Liang who is also a member of the Central Military Commission while meeting New Zealand's Chief of the Defense Forces Air Marshall Bruce Ferguson and his party.

Cooperation in various fields is conducive to friendly ties between the two countries, Liang said.

Ferguson expressed appreciation for China's role in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

He said he hoped the two countries' armed forces could strengthen their relations of friendly cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2003)