Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian said Tuesday that China wishes to maintain the good momentum in its military relations with France.
Chi made the remarks in a meeting with Jacques Celerier, president of the Institute of Higher Studies of National Defense of France and his party.
Chi, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said that China and France, both big countries with major influence in the world, share quite a few common views on international affairs.
He said that both countries have independent foreign policies, advocate the multipolarization of the world, and approve of settling disputes through peaceful means and dialogue.
The Chinese government has always attached importance to developing relations with France and the role of France in international affairs, Chi noted.
He pointed out that the establishment of an all-round partnership between the two countries not only conforms to their fundamental interests, but also helps the peace and stability in the world.
On bilateral military ties, Chi said that the two militaries have maintained frequent high-level visits and conducted exchanges in various areas in recent years, adding that all these factors have played a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding, trust, and friendship between the two sides.
Celerier said that he has had wide exchanges with the Chinese military during the visit. He added that the exchanges will be conducive to furthering the mutual understanding between the two militaries and the cooperation in national defense between the two countries.
(People's Daily 04/24/2001)
