Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie pledged to raise military ties with the Republic of Korea (ROK) to a new height in Beijing on Thursday.

Liang, also a state councilor, spoke highly of the rapid development of China-ROK relations when meeting with visiting president of the Korea National Defense University Bang Hyo Bok.

China paid great attention to the development of the bilateral military ties, said Liang, adding that the two armed forces have conducted multi-level and multi-disciplinary friendly exchanges.

Stable bilateral ties and military ties are of great importance to the development of both countries and of regional peace and stability, he said.

He hoped the two sides could continue to enhance mutual trust and understanding, so as to lift military ties.

Liang also elaborated China's position on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the Taiwan issue. He said China supported the removal of nuclear weapons and facilities from the peninsula and hoped the international community could make efforts to resolve the issues through dialogue.

Bang said the ROK would stick to the one-China policy and continue to boost ties. He also appreciated China's effort in pushing forward the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2008)