China and the United States have expanded the areas for bilateral military exchanges and cooperation, and bilateral military ties have enjoyed further development in 2006, said Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan Sunday.

Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, made the remarks when meeting with a delegation from the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, headed by congressman Roscoe Bartlett.

Calling China and the United States two influential countries with "extensive" common strategic interests, Cao said to maintain healthy development of relations between the two countries as well as the two armed forces meets the fundamental interests of both sides.

In 2006, the two armed forces have kept frequent high-level visits and conducted regular academic exchanges, he added.

"China always holds positive attitude towards developing military ties with the United States," Cao said, pledging to join hands with the U.S. side to carry out the consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen mutual trust, and maintain stable development of military ties in the year to come.

He also expressed his hope that U.S. congressmen, including Roscoe Bartlett, would make positive contribution to properly settling related issues of bilateral ties, especially the Taiwan issue, and promoting further development of military ties.

Bartlett spoke highly of China's important contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations in the year 2006.

The United States values its military exchanges with China, he said. vowing to positively contribute to promoting military exchanges at various levels, and strengthening mutual understanding and trust between the two sides.

Source: Xinhua