Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army of China, met with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd?in Beijing?on Thursday.

Chen hailed the sound relationship between the two countries during the one-hour talk with Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia.

The Chinese side attaches importance to military ties with Australia and is willing to deepen mutual trust and boost bilateral military cooperation, Chen said.

Rudd echoed Chen's remarks and pledged to step up exchanges with China.

The Australian side respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Rudd said in Chinese, who started to study Mandarin and the Chinese culture more than 30 years ago.

He said Australia shares much common ground with China and disagreements between the nations could be worked out.

"It's normal that we have disagreements," he said. "What's important is how to decrease disagreements and misunderstandings with exchange of views."

The foreign minister urged countries to give up the Cold-War mentality on today's world stage.

Except for kowtowing to or conflicting with China, western countries should find a new framework -- or the third road -- when handling relationships with China, he said.