Bolivia attaches great importance to relations with China, and pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two nations are mutually beneficial, Bolivian President Evo Morales has said.

With its rapid economic development over recent years, China's influence in the region and on the world stage has been on the rise, said Morales in La Paz on Wednesday during a meeting with Ma Xiaotian, Chinese deputy chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army.

Ma noted that since the two countries established diplomatic ties 26 years ago, the bilateral relationship has developed smoothly with frequent exchanges of visits of top leaders and increasingly enhanced political mutual trust.

Both sides have maintained good cooperation on regional and global affairs, said Ma who also expressed China's gratitude to Bolivia for its firm support on issues related to its core interests.

Ma, who arrived in La Paz on Tuesday, said China attaches importance to developing military ties with Bolivia, with the belief that such relations would further develop.