Liang Guanglie, chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), held talks with visiting Kazak defense minister Mukhtar Altynbayev in Beijing Tuesday.

Liang said that the PLA attaches great importance to the friendly and cooperative relations with the Kazak army and would always regard the friendly ties as a priority in China's military foreign policies.

The two armies had effective cooperation in the fields of strategic consultation, personnel training, and observation on military drills, Liang noted, stressing that the cooperation would play a positive role in further promoting military cooperation between China and Kazakhstan.

Altynbayev expressed satisfaction with the recent development of Kazakhstan-China relations. He said that Kazakhstan is willing to continue strengthening the substantial exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields, including that in the military arena.

Liang reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan issue. Altynbayev noted that Kazakhstan will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and would not establish any official ties with Taiwan.

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2004)