Visiting Chinese People's Liberation Army Deputy Chief of General Staff, General Xiong Guangkai, Thursday in London held defense talks with his British counterpart, Vice Chief of Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Anthony Bagnall.
During the talks, the first between China and Britain, Xiong and Bagnall exchanged views in detail on world and regional security situation, relations between the two armed forces and anti-terrorism and peace-keeping operations in the world.
The talks were held in a frank atmosphere and the two sides reached wide-ranging common understanding. Both sides acknowledged the importance of holding such high level defense talks timely in the current complicated and changing international situation.
These talks are very important to the understanding, trust and cooperation between the two countries and their armed forces, the two generals agreed.
During his stay in London, General Xiong also held talks with British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon and General Michael Walker, British Chief of General Staff.
On Wednesday, Xiong gave a speech on China's new security concept and defense policy in the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, a world famous think-tank in military and strategic fields. He also answered questions from the audience after the speech.
Xiong arrived in London on Tuesday to start his official tour of Britain.
(People's Daily May 24, 2002)
