Visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan?held talks with Kim Il-chol, minister of People's Armed Forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), in Pyongyang Tuesday afternoon.

 

Cao praised the development of bilateral exchanges and cooperation in military fields, noting that the China-North Korea traditional friendship has a strong vitality in a new era.

 

Chinese armed forces were prepared to further enhance future exchanges and cooperation with North Korean forces to contribute to safeguarding regional security and peace in the Korean Peninsula, Cao said.

 

Kim said?North Korea?always attached great importance to the links with China and the Chinese military forces.

 

He expressed North Korea's willingness to work closely with China to further cement relations between the two countries and their military forces.

 

Cao?arrived in Pyongyang earlier in the day for an official goodwill visit.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2006)