Visiting Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and his Bulgarian counterpart Veselin Bliznakov held talks Tuesday and they reached consensus on many issues discussed.

 

Bulgarian and China are friendly countries and there are no differences but friendship and cooperation between them, Bliznakov said at the talks.

 

Furthering their military exchanges and cooperation conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and is conducive to the further development of the friendly ties and cooperation, as well as to peace and stability in the region and the rest of the world, he said.

 

Bliznakov said Bulgaria steadfastly adheres to the one-China policy and hopes that China will play a greater role in world affairs.

 

Cao noted that Bulgaria is one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China and that the two countries enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges.

 

Hailing the smooth development of bilateral ties in recent years, Cao said exchanges and cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries have increased steadily, marked by the frequent exchanges of high-level visits and fruitful cooperation in professional fields.

 

China is ready to work with Bulgaria to further promote the friendly ties and cooperation between the two armies, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, the Chinese defense chief told his host.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2006)