The Chinese army is committed to consolidating military
exchanges and cooperation with neighboring countries, and these
kinds of relations maintain good momentum, said Chinese Defense
Minister Cao
Gangchuan Sunday.
Cao, also Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and a
state councilor, made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua
before starting his official goodwill visit to Pakistan, India and
Thailand later this month at the invitation of the three countries'
defense ministers.
He said the visit is in line with China's diplomatic efforts to
build a good relationship and partnership with neighboring
countries. Such visits consolidate and develop mutual understanding
and trust, as well as deepening friendship and cooperation between
China and the three countries.
"China is willing to create a harmonious, stable and peaceful
regional political and security environment with all Asian
countries, including Pakistan, India and Thailand," Cao said.
He said he will meet with government and military leaders of the
three countries, and exchange views with them on issues of common
concern.
China and Pakistan signed a joint declaration on bilateral
cooperation last November. Cao said the Sino-Pakistani friendship
has grown continuously since the establishment of diplomatic
relations despite the fast-changing international situation.
The Chinese government appreciates Pakistan's unswerving support
in international affairs, he said, adding that China is ready to
further deepen bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in various
fields so as to inject new vitality into the two countries'
relations.
"Meanwhile, the two armed forces had frequent fruitful exchanges
and cooperation at various levels and in various fields," he said,
expressing the hope that the bilateral military relations will
continue to progress.
Cao said that although the relationship between India and China
had experienced twists and turns, on the whole it is moving
forward. The declaration of principles for relations and
comprehensive cooperation between China and India signed last year
marked a new phase in China-India relations.
"We appreciate the positive remarks made recently by Indian
Defense Minister George Fernandes on the current status and
development of Sino-Indian relations," he said.
Bilateral exchange and cooperation in various areas are in the
interests of the two countries as well as the two peoples, Cao
noted, adding that China considers the constructive cooperative
partnership with India very important, and is willing to promote
bilateral relations to a new high.
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Cao said the Chinese and Indian armies had seen increasing
exchanges in recent years. An Indian naval fleet visited Shanghai
last November and the two sides held a joint search-and-rescue
drill, which proved the determination of two countries to enhance
neighborly cooperation.
"I believe the exchanges between the two armies will continue
moving ahead with the efforts of the two countries' leaders," Cao
said.
Cao said India and Pakistan had set topics and an agenda for a
comprehensive dialogue, and reached agreement on solving disputes
peacefully. This would help ease bilateral tensions.
"China welcomes and supports this," said Cao, adding that China,
as a neighboring country, hopes the two sides solve their
differences through dialogue and advance their relations to
contribute to regional peace and development.
Cao said China and Thailand have enjoyed a long-standing
traditional friendship, which has kept good momentum for many
years. He noted that the two sides are enjoying comprehensive, deep
and high-level relations at present.
In a state visit to Thailand last October, President Hu Jintao
exchanged views with Thai leaders on furthering bilateral
relations, setting forth a concrete plan to deepen strategic
cooperation, nailing down the orientation of the two countries'
relations and boosting all-around development, said Cao.
The two armies have also conducted frequent high-level exchanges
in past years and had broad exchanges and cooperation in army
building and supporting the national economy.
China will expand cooperation with Thailand and promote the two
armies' relations to a higher level, he said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2004)