Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met Friday with Commander of Tonga Defense Services Tauaika Utaatu in Beijing, pledging closer bilateral military cooperation.

"China is ready to take active measures to further promote the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two armed forces," said Cao, who is also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission and state councilor.

He said China attaches great importance to the friendly and cooperative ties with Tonga and will promote the development of such ties in various fields on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.

He said China-Tonga relations keep a good momentum of development, praising increasing high-level exchanges, strengthened political trust, deepened development of economic and trade cooperation and effective coordination on major international and regional issues between the two sides.

Cao also briefed Utaatu on China's stance on the Taiwan issue and China's economic development, expressing his appreciation of Tongan government's adherence to the one-China policy.

Utaatu said Tonga hopes to expand fields of cooperation with the Chinese side to raise the military-to-military cooperation to a higher level.

Utaatu said the Tongan government holds that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territories and will firmly stick to the one-China policy.

Before meeting with Cao, Utaatu held talks with Liang Guanglie, a member of the Central Military Commission and chief of the general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

The two exchanged views on the cooperation between the two armed forces on personnel training and logistic support, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry.

Utaatu started his official visit to China on Sunday as guest of Liang. This is his second visit to China.

China and Tonga established diplomatic ties in November, 1998.

Source: Xinhua