Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie Tuesday welcomed the upcoming defense ministerial meeting between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners.

Liang said in a meeting with visiting Vice Defense Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Chi Vinh, "I hope the meeting will become a new platform for ASEAN and other countries in this region to jointly deal with non-traditional security challenges and strengthen mutual trust and cooperation."

Vinh thanked China for its support as a major regional country.

The two sides also discussed China-Vietnam relations and bilateral military relations.

Liang urged the two countries to take the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in all fields and promote bilateral relations.

Vinh said he hoped the defense ministries of the two countries would strengthen information exchanges and enhance mutual understanding and trust.

The ASEAN defense ministerial meeting with dialogue partners was proposed in the fourth defense ministerial meeting of ASEAN members, and the first such meeting is scheduled for October in Hanoi.