China and New Zealand on Thursday held the first strategic
consultation between their armed forces in Beijing.
Ma Xiaotian, vice chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's
Liberation Army (PLA), and David Anthony Bamfield, vice chief of
the Defense Force of New Zealand, both participated in the
consultation. They exchanged in-depth views on relations between
the two countries and the two armed forces, as well as regional
security conditions.
The consultation was conducted in a candid, friendly and
constructive atmosphere, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense
said.
Ma said the PLA of China valued its friendly relationship with
the Defense Force of New Zealand and held an active attitude toward
deepening cooperation. He added China was willing to join with New
Zealand to continue promoting the in-depth development of bilateral
military ties at various levels and in various fields.
Bamfield echoed Ma's comments. He noted that the Defense Force
of New Zealand would continue to make joint efforts with China in
the spirit of openness to raise their military relationship to a
new high.
Both men agreed that the consultation was positive and fruitful
and reached the purpose of enhancing mutual understanding,
expanding common ground, strengthening mutual trust and promoting
cooperation.
Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the PLA, also met
with Bamfield on Thursday and congratulated him on the successful
convening of the consultation. He noted that the establishment of
such a strategic consultation mechanism between the two armed
forces not only marked the continuous development of bilateral
military ties, but also was a concrete measure to further
strengthen dialogue and deepen mutual strategic trust.
Chen said the armed forces of China and New Zealand should hold
regular consultation and make joint efforts to further explore and
expand new channels and methods for enhancing bilateral military
exchange.
Bamfield arrived in Beijing on Wednesday. Earlier he visited
Guangzhou in south China and Qingdao in east China.
(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2007)
