A military official from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) said Thursday in Beijing that China has established a consultation mechanism in security and defense with major international powers, including the United States, Russia, Japan, Australia, Britain and France.

The consultation mechanism has also been extended to China's neighbors and major regional nations, said Zhang Qinsheng, assistant to the Chief of the General Staff of PLA when interviewed by official website of "The Russian Year in China."

The mechanism played an important role in building a security environment in neighboring areas and in dealing with relations between big powers, Zhang said.

So far, China has forged military ties with more than 150 countries and set up military attache offices in 107 countries, while hosting 85 foreign military attaches.

China has formed a broad and multi-level military diplomacy through ever expanding military cooperation with other countries, Zhang added.

Since 2002, the Chinese armed forces have conducted anti-terrorism military exercises with members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization and held bilateral land and offshore search and rescue exercises with some neighboring countries.

These joint military drills exerted far-reaching influence in the world, Zhang noted.

Source: Xinhua