Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Zhang Qinsheng met with visiting German Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Defence Christian Schmidt on Monday, pledging to strengthen bilateral military ties.

Zhang made the pledge during the two-hour meeting with Schmidt, saying the two countries have witnessed cooperation growth in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, education, culture, tourism and energy in recent years, bringing benefits to the people of both countries.

"China is satisfied with the development of Sino-German military ties and will work with Germany to further enhance the pragmatic cooperation between two sides," said Zhang.

Schmidt, who is in Beijing for the third Core Group Meeting of the Munich Security Conference, spoke highly of China's efforts against Somali pirates and its escort action for the United Nations World Food Programme's food aid shipments to Africa.

"Germany values its cooperation with China and hopes to continuously strengthen the collaborations with China on personal training, science and technology staff exchanges and the escort action," Schmidt said.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.