Chinese and Australian defense leaders have expressed the need to strengthen the growing cooperation between the two countries' defense forces.

The two countries' defense forces are enjoying the best ever relationship in history, Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill told visiting Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Liang Guanglie at a meeting here Thursday.

Hill said exchange and cooperation in the defense and military fields between the two countries will be conducive to peace and stability in the region.

At a separate meeting with Liang, Australian Chief of the Defense Force Peter Cosgrove also spoke highly of the military ties with the Chinese.

He singled out anti-terrorism and peacekeeping as the key areas for further cooperation with the Chinese army.

Both Hill and Cosgrove reiterated the Australian government's adherence to the one-China policy.

Liang, also member of the Central Military Commission, told the Australian defense leaders that China and Australia have important influence in the Asia-Pacific region, sharing broad common interests in maintaining peace and stability as well as promoting development and prosperity.

The defense forces of the two countries have witnessed more and better exchanges for the past few years, featuring high-level visits, he pointed out.

Liang, on the second day of his six-day visit, also thanked the Australian government for sticking to the one-China principle all along.

Source: Xinhua