Chen Bingde (2nd R), chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, shakes hands with New Zealand's army chief Louis Gardiner during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, July 4, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

China and New Zealand vowed in Beijing on Friday to further army exchanges to push forward military relations between the two countries.

"The Chinese armed forces advocate expanding contact and substantial cooperation with their New Zealand counterparts to upgrade military relations in the long run," said Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

During a meeting with New Zealand army chief Louis Gardiner, Chen hailed the relationship between China and New Zealand, saying it conformed to the fundamental interest of the two countries and peoples and contributed to regional peace and prosperity.

Gardiner said the military ties between New Zealand and China had maintained sustainable development and cooperation kept improving, adding that New Zealand would continue to enhance cooperation and exchanges with China and its military.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2008)