China and India Tuesday voiced their willingness to promote the relations between the two armed forces.

In talks with visiting Indian army chief N.C. Vij, Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said it is in the fundamental interests of Chinese and Indian people to maintain the long-term stable and sound bilateral relations.

China-India military ties constitute an important part of the bilateral relations, said Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor.

"China would like to step up its cooperation with India in defense and security sector and advance the bilateral military ties to a higher level," said Cao, who visited India in March.

In recent years, the two armies have kept sound high-level exchange of visits and cooperation in specialized fields, Vij said.

"We should expand the ongoing frequent personnel exchanges to officers at all levels, including junior ones." said Vij, who is on his first-ever trip to China in a decade.

Later Tuesday, Vij was also hosted by Liang Guanglie, chief of the general staff of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Liang reaffirmed the importance of army-to-army relations and expressed China's aspiration to make concerted efforts with India to promote the all-round progress of bilateral military ties.

Vij reviewed the coastal search and rescue exercise jointly conducted by India and China last year, adding "we invite China to join our military exercise in non-traditional security."

Vij said India may invite Chinese officers to observe its military drills, which Vij said is a move in response to China inviting Indian officers to a Chinese military exercise in September.

Vij also lauded the white paper on China's national defense in 2004, which is released Monday.

On Monday, Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of the general staff of China's PLA, gave Vij an official welcoming ceremony and held talks with him.

Vij and his delegation arrived in China's financial hub Shanghai last Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2004)