Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met  with visiting Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army Oscar Izurieta Tuesday in Beijing.

Cao, also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission and state councilor, said Chinese and Chilean people have traditional friendship although the two countries are far from each other.

Since the two countries forged diplomatic ties, Cao said, bilateral ties have developed smoothly with increasing friendly cooperation in various fields.

The development of relations between two armed forces have also gained momentum and China takes positive view in further promoting bilateral military ties, Cao said.
Izurieta said he hoped to increase understanding of China through this visit so as to make contributions to the development of bilateral relations.

Besides Beijing, Izurieta will also visit Xi'an in central China's Shaanxi Province and Shanghai in east China.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2007)