Beijing -- Chen Bingde, chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, met here Tuesday with General Inspector of Moroccan Royal Navy Mohammed Berrada Gouzi.

Chen, also a member of the Central Military Commission, said since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1958, bilateral cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields has made fruitful results.

Chinese armed forces attach importance to relations with Moroccan armed forces and would like to improve bilateral exchanges and cooperation, Chen added.

Chen also briefed Gouzi on the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and China's army building.

Gouzi said Morocco and China have traditional friendly relations and bilateral cooperation has made headway since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

He hopes to bring the military ties closer through this visit.

(Xinhua News Agency, December 11, 2007)