China, Malaysia pledge to strengthen pragmatic military cooperation

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- China and Malaysia on Monday pledged to strengthen pragmatic military cooperation.

The pledge came out of a meeting between Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and his Malaysian counterpart Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. During the meeting they exchanged views on the regional situation, the two countries' and the two militaries' relations and other issues of common concern.

Liang said the China-Malaysia relationship has stood the test of time, weathered the changes in the world, and stepped into a mature, stable and healthy stage.

"As an important part of bilateral relations, the China-Malaysia military relationship plays an important role in promoting the comprehensive development of the two countries' relations. China hopes to advance military-to-military relations in a pragmatic way under the two sides' joint efforts so as to play a positive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability," he said.

Hamidi said Malaysia attaches great importance to developing its friendship with China.

"Malaysia hopes to further promote military relations between the two sides and advance the comprehensive development of bilateral relations," he said.