China is willing to work with Canada to enhance military contacts and promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese Chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army Fu Quanyou said Thursday.
In a meeting with General Joseph Baril, chief of the Defense Staff of Canada, Fu said China and Canada enjoy a traditional friendship, and the 31 years of Sino-Canadian diplomatic ties have witnessed constant exchanges and enhanced cooperation between the two sides.
Sino-Canadian military relations, an important part of the bilateral relations, have also been strengthened in recent years, said Fu. He stressed that the Chinese side takes a positive attitude toward developing all-around contacts with the Canadian armed forces.
Fu expounded the principled stand of the Chinese government on the U.S. deployment of the national missile defense (NMD) system and the theater missile defense (TMD) system, and briefed Baril on China's defense policy and building of armed forces.
Baril said he is deeply impressed with the rapid growth of China's economy as well as the country's active role in promoting regional security. Canada is willing to develop sound relations with China, which is also the purpose of his China tour, he said.
Prior to the meeting, Fu presided over a welcoming ceremony for Baril, who arrived here on Monday to kick off an official goodwill visit to China.
(People’s Daily 05/24/2001)
