The Chinese and Indian defense ministers on Monday pledged to
strengthen military exchanges between the two armed forces.
In a meeting in Beijing with his Indian counterpart Pranab
Mukherjee, Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said that the Chinese government
hoped for peace, stability and economic growth to continue in the
south Asia region.
Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a
state councilor, said the Chinese government supports the efforts
of south Asian nations to push for regional cooperation.
Friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation are in the
fundamental interests of China and India, and are conducive to the
peace, stability and development of Asia and the world, Cao
said.
Mukherjee said India attaches great importance to its strategic
and cooperative partnership with China. The Indian government will
work with China on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust to
continue deepening defense and military exchanges.
Also on Monday, Mukherjee met with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing who pledged that China would step
up strategic and cooperative relations with India this year, which
has been designated the year of friendship between China and
India.
Li said that China attaches great importance to relations with
India, noting that the common prosperity of China and India,
collectively home to one third of the world's population, would be
a huge contribution to humankind.
Mukherjee said that India and China are good friends and share
similar views on many issues, adding that the cooperation between
the two countries and their active involvement in world affairs are
conducive to the peace, stability and development of the world.
India will make concerted efforts with China to boost mutual
understanding and trust in a bid to push forward bilateral
relations, Mukherjee stressed.
Mukherjee arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a six-day visit as
Cao's guest. This is Mukherjee's first trip to China since he took
office in 2004.
The Indian minister will also visit Shanghai and northwest
China's Gansu Province.
(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2006)