Defense chiefs of China and the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) on Tuesday vowed to step up exchanges and cooperation between
the two militaries.
Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan, in a meeting with his Congolese
counterpart Chikez Diemu, reviewed the friendship between the two
countries and hailed Congolese efforts to promote the peace
process.
The armed forces of the two countries have enhanced their
understanding and friendship through increased exchanges and
cooperation, Cao said.
Now there are Chinese peacekeepers serving on UN missions in the
DRC with most of them engaged in engineering, transportation and
medical services.
"The Chinese armed forces would like to develop relations with
the Congolese military in various fields," Cao said.
This was the first senior delegation visiting a foreign country
since the founding of the new Congolese government in February
2007, Diemu said. "It shows the importance our government has paid
to its relationship with China," he added.
Diemu said the DRC looks forward to stronger exchanges and
cooperation with China, particularly in defense.
The DRC government will continue to adhere to the one-China
policy, Diemu said.
The DRC delegation will also visit east China's provinces of
Shandong and Jiangsu and south China's Guangdong Province.
(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2007)
