China, Chile to enhance military exchanges

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan talked Monday in Santiago on military cooperation between their countries and other issues of common concern.

Over the 37 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Chile, their relations have grown steadily and cooperation in various fields has been fruitful, while coordination on international affairs has been further strengthened, said Cao.

During Chinese President Hu Jintao's 2004 visit to Chile, the two sides reached consensus on establishing and developing a comprehensive cooperative partnership, Cao said, adding that with the development of ties, relations between the two armed forces have evolved with strong momentum.

China is willing to work with Chile to enrich the contents of their comprehensive cooperative partnership, and push for an all-round, steady and in-depth development of relations between the two armed forces, Cao said.

Bachelet, for her part, said that the Chilean people nourish brotherly feelings about the Chinese people and the two countries have always cooperated well in various fields.

She expressed the hope that based on the sound development of relations, cooperation and exchanges between the defense ministries and the armed forces of the two countries will be further enhanced.

Cao arrived in Chile Sunday for a two-day visit to Chile.

Source: Xinhua