Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on Thursday called for further deepening exchanges and cooperation between defence departments and armed forces of China and Pakistan.

Liang, who is also a state councilor, made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Pakistan's Chief of the Naval Staff, Adm. Muhammad Afzal Tahir.

Liang said that the two defense departments and militaries had maintained long-term exchanges and conducted multi-level cooperation in a wide range of fields. He voiced the hope that the two sides would make joint efforts to further promote exchanges and bilateral cooperation to serve development of the strategic cooperative partnership of the two countries.

Tahir said that Pakistan and China had maintained sound political and military relations and Pakistan was ready to work with China to enhance the strategic cooperative partnership.

Tahir voiced his government's firm support of the Chinese government's position on the Taiwan and Tibet issues and firm opposition to any behavior deliberately violating the spirit of the Olympic Games.

"We believe that Beijing will host a peaceful, successful and harmonious Olympic Games," Tahir said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2008)