China is ready to join hands with Bulgaria to bring their military relationship to a new high, Liang Guanglie, chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said in Beijing Wednesday.

Liang made the remarks in his talks with Bulgarian armed forces chief General Nikola Kolev.

China has always taken a positive attitude to developing China-Bulgaria military relations, he said.

He said Bulgaria was among the first batch of countries to forge diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Since then bilateral relations have kept advancing and there have been frequent mutual high-level visits and friendly exchanges.

Kolev said that Bulgaria and China have enjoyed a tradition of friendly exchanges, and the armed forces of Bulgaria hope to further promote the friendly and cooperative relationship with the Chinese PLA.

Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of general staff of the PLA, also attended the talks.

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2005)