The Chinese military expects to go on expanding exchanges and cooperation with its British counterpart, said Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan Tuesday.

Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, made the remark during a meeting with Alan West, the British Royal Navy's First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.

It is the best time ever in history for Sino-British relations, Cao acknowledged, saying that the furtherance of Sino-British friendly and cooperative relations not only comply with the interest of both nations and their people, but also facilitates world peace, stability and prosperity.

As a crucial ingredient of relations between the two countries, the relationship between two militaries has been reinforced by frequented high-level visits, increased professional exchanges and staff training, and a good beginning of non-conventional security cooperation in recent years, he added.

The Chinese army has always attached importance to the relationship with its British counterpart and hopes to further develop bilateral exchange and cooperation, the minister said.

West said recent years have witnessed closer exchange and cooperation between two militaries. The British side hopes this momentum will continue in years to come.

The two navies staged a search-and-rescue drill off shore of the eastern coastal city Qingdao. This is the first maritime exercise of the two nations.