China is ready for closer military-to-military cooperation with Ecuador so as to help safeguard regional and world peace, a visiting Chinese general said Thursday.

Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army of China, made the remarks after he and a group of other senior Chinese military officers arrived here for a three-day official visit.

Both being developing countries, China and Ecuador have a wide range of common interests and are faced with the common task of development, Chen told his Ecuadorian hosts, who extended a warm welcome to the Chinese delegation at the airport.

China-Ecuador ties have developed smoothly since the two countries established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, said the general.

In recent years, both sides have made frequent exchange of high-level visits, enhanced political mutual trust and expanded cooperation in areas like trade, economy, culture, education, science and technology. The two militaries have advanced their ties, too, he went on.

During the visit, Chen will meet Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and senior government and military officials.

Ecuador is the first leg of Chen's three-nation tour to Latin America, which will also take him to Venezuela and Peru.