Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and his Vietnamese counterpart Phung Quang Thanh held talks Monday in Beijing, agreeing to promote bilateral military ties.

"The Chinese armed forces are ready to develop the friendly and cooperative ties with the Vietnamese armed forces and make contributions to promoting the friendly cooperation between the two countries," said Cao, who is also vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission and State Councilor.

While hailing that China and Vietnam are friendly neighbors, Cao said the political mutual trust between China and Vietnam has been continuously deepened, with exchanges in various fields expanded and traditional friendship further strengthened.

"It is in the interests of the Chinese and Vietnamese peoples and conducive to regional and world peace and stability to continuously consolidate and develop the relations between the two countries and two armed forces," said Cao.

Phung said Vietnam is ready to make joint efforts with China to enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation, and promote the continuous development of the relations between the two countries and two armed forces.

He said Vietnam will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and support China's reunification cause.

The two defense ministers attended a signing ceremony of an agreement on the cooperation on frontier defense between the two defense ministries.

(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2007)