Chinese Defense Minister Meets Croatian GuestsDefense Minister Chi Haotian met Tuesday with Petar Stipetic, chief of general staff of the Croatian armed forces and his party.Chi, who is also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state Councilor, said that China and Croatia enjoy traditional friendship. He said that the bilateral ties have been progressing well in recent years, adding that the two sides have kept frequent high-level visits and maintained cooperation in various areas. The Chinese army takes an active attitude to develop its friendly ties with the Croatian armed forces and is willing to conduct exchange and cooperation with the Croatian side on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, Chi said. He believes Stipetic's current visit to China will help enhance the mutual understanding and friendship and promote the development of the friendly cooperation between the two armies. The Chinese Defense Minister also briefed the guests on China's economic development and army building, and reiterated Chinese government's principled position on the Taiwan issue. Stipetic said that the two countries, although far apart geographically, hold similar views on many issues. He noted that China plays an important role in international affairs, stressing that Croatia hopes to further the friendly cooperative relations with China. Stipetic thanked China for its support in the United Nations on the issue of Croatia's independence. |
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