Visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul-Aziz in Riyadh on Tuesday, with both sides expressing their willingness to improve military ties between the two countries.

Cao, who arrived in Riyadh on Sunday, said China values its friendly and cooperative military relations with Saudi Arabia and is ready to join efforts with the Middle East country to lift the ties to new heights.

He noted recent years have witnessed a constant increase of personnel exchange and sound cooperation in various fields between the two militaries.

All cooperation has been carried out under the guideline of sincerity, friendship, equality and mutual benefit, Cao said.

Cao also briefed the Saudi crown prince on China's stand on the Taiwan issue.

Sultan, who is also Saudi deputy prime minister, minister of defense and aviation and inspector general of the Armed Forces, echoed Cao's comments.

He said Riyadh attaches importance to the Saudi-Chinese relations and hopes to maintain the bilateral friendly ties for long.

The crown prince also expressed his country's firm support for the one-China policy.

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2008)