Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan stressed Wednesday the friendly ties with the Mongolian army.

During talks with his Mongolian counterpart Tserenkhuugyn Sharavdorj, Cao praised the good-neighborly friendship between the two countries.

"China and Mongolia have witnessed a stable and rapid development of the friendly cooperative relations in such fields as politics, economy, culture and education since the two countries forged diplomatic ties more than fifty years ago," Cao said.

"It is in the fundamental interests of both peoples to develop the good-neighborly partnership of mutual trust," he said.

Cao, also vice-chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission and state councilor, noted that the military relations constitute a major part of the bilateral relations and the two armies have enjoyed a good momentum in exchanges.

"I hope the two armies can make joint efforts to push for a greater development for the relations between the two countries and armies," he said.

Sharavdorj said China is Mongolia's important neighbouring country and it is a significant foreign policy for Mongolia to develop a friendly relation with China.

He said that Mongolia will continue to support China's stance on the Taiwan question, and Mongolia understands and respects China's concerns about the issue of Dalai Lama.

"We wish to continue enhancing military exchanges and cooperation with China." He noted.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional security and on other issues of common concern.

Source: Xinhua