In a meeting with visiting Pakistani Prime minister Shaukat Aziz, Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said the friendly, cooperative relations between the armed forces of the two countries have been developing in tandem with the progressing and deepening bilateral relations during the past years.

In recent years, increased China-Pakistan cooperation has been marked by the two countries conducting a joint coastal search and rescue exercise and anti-terrorism exercise, noted Cao, who is also vice-chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission and state councilor.

Noting that Pakistan values the friendship between the two armed forces, Aziz said that the army-to-army cooperation in the field of non-traditional security " added new contents" to the army-to-army relations.

Pakistan is active in uprooting terrorism, which is central to security and economic development, Aziz said. He called for joint efforts with China in this area.

Contact between personnel is also critical for the two countries' military ties, Aziz said.

"The military officers can share ideas and learn from each other," he said.

Aziz started his five-day official visit to China Tuesday night, which was his first visit to China after assumption of the Prime Minister in August this year.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2004)