Liang Guanglie, chief of general staff of the Chinese People's
Liberation Army (PLA), Friday hailed bilateral military exchanges
and cooperation in a talk with visiting Australian Chief Commander
of the Defence Forces Peter Cosgrove.
Liang, also member of the CPC Central Military Commission, said
the Chinese and Australian armed forces maintain frequent
high-level visits and contacts over the past few years, with seven
defense and strategic consultations held and active exchanges
carried out in such fields as warship visits, training, logistics,
and college education.
China attaches great importance to friendly cooperation with
Australia and is willing to make efforts to promote relations
between the two countries and the two armies, Liang said.
Cosgrove said the relationship between the Australian armed
forces and the Chinese PLA has developed well in recent years,
expressing his hope for furthering exchanges and cooperation with
China, which he called beneficial to both sides.?
Cosgrove and his delegation arrived in Beijing Friday morning on
an official goodwill visit to China at the invitation of
Liang.?
(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2004)