The Chinese armed forces attach great importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with its Italian counterpart, Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said in Beijing Wednesday.  

At a meeting with visiting Italian Commander-in-Chief of Military Police Lt. Gen. Gottardo, Cao said Sino-Italian relations have been progressing smoothly since the two countries established diplomatic ties 30 years ago.

Both China and Italy have shared identical or similar views on many important international issues and conducted cooperation covering a wide range of areas such as politics, economy, culture and the military, he said.

Cao expressed the hope that the two armed forces will consolidate and expand multi-field and multi-level cooperation.

Gottardo said the military exchanges between Italy and China have been enhanced further, which will be conducive to bilateral cooperation in other fields.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2005)