New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman on Friday claimed success in talks with his Chinese counterpart General Chang Wanquan on building links between the two countries' armed forces.

"Our defense engagement with China continues to progress alongside the development of our broader political and economic links. The NZDF's (New Zealand Defense Force's) relationship with the PLA (People's Liberation Army) has been evolving over the last 10 years," Coleman, on his first visit to China as Defense Minister, said in a statement from his office.

"This year has seen a high level of defense engagement activities between our two countries. In August, the NZDF hosted Australian, U.S. and Chinese military personnel for the first time for Exercise Phoenix Spirit, a humanitarian and disaster relief activity. We look forward to building on our engagement with the PLA in the future," he said.

"My meetings in Beijing also allowed for exchanges of views on China's Air Defense Identification Zone and on East China Sea issues."

Coleman, who is visiting China Nov. 27 to 30, said he had been meeting defense officials, as well as visiting the PLA Peacekeeping Training Center, the PLA University of Science and Technology and Nanjing Military Regional Command. 

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