Friendly relations of cooperation between the armed forces of China and Benin based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit accord with the interests of the two sides, Fu Quanyou, chief of General Staff of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said Tuesday.

Such relations are also conducive to world peace and stability, Fu, also a member of the Central Military Commission, said during talks with his Benin counterpart Fernand Marcel Amoussou.

Fu said that the armed forces of the two countries have maintained traditional relations of friendly cooperation, and in recent years the two sides have exchanged high-level visits.

He said that relations between the two countries and their armed forces have expanded through joint efforts.

Fu said China values relations of friendly cooperation with Benin and is ready to develop such relations.

Amoussou said that the people of Benin value their friendship with the Chinese people, and the Benin Government has always attached importance to relations with China.

(Xinhua 12/05/2000)