Visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met in Islamabad Tuesday with his Pakistani counterpart Rao Sikander.  

The Pakistani minister, during the talk, attached a great importance to "the brotherhood style" Pakistan-China relations.

He said Pakistan is willing to further strengthen the cooperation between the two armies.

Cao, who is also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and a state councilor, said it has long been the fixed policy of Chinese government to stabilize and enhance the Sino-Pakistani relations.

The traditional friendship will be strengthened by the mutual efforts of the two sides, added Cao.

Cao arrived here Monday on his three-state visit covering Pakistan, India and Thailand.

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2004)