Liang Guanglie, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), held talks in Beijing Monday with Commander-in-Chief of the National Defence Forces of Finland Jouni Kaskeala and his party.  

Liang said that as the bilateral relations between China and Finland have kept developing, military relations between the two countries have also developed with frequent high-level visits and expanded areas of cooperation.

The Chinese armed forces are willing to make joint efforts with its Finland counterpart to promote the friendly and cooperative relations to a new level, he said.

Liang also appreciated Finland's adherence to the one-China principle.

Kaskeala said the armed forces of Finland are undergoing reforms similar to their Chinese counterpart.

He said the Finnish armed forces are willing to enhance friendly and cooperative relations with the Chinese side.

He also stressed that Finland will consistently adhere to the one-China policy.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2004)