Chief of the General Staff of Czech armed forces Pavel Stefka on Tuesday said he hoped to further strengthen military exchanges with China especially in sanitation and logistics.

 

Leading a six-member delegation from Czech armed forces, Stefka paid his first official visit to China between January 14-19.

 

In a meeting with Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan on Tuesday morning, Stefka said the purpose of his China tour is to further develop cooperation between armed forces of the two countries.

 

China is an important partner of the Czech Republic, and the two countries still have much room for cooperation in the military field, he said.

 

Cao said the Chinese armed forces attached great importance to relations with the Czech armed forces and China is willing to expand and enrich bilateral military cooperation.

 

"Since the two countries established diplomatic ties, the bilateral exchanges and cooperation are fruitful, in accordance with principles of equality, mutual trust and mutual benefit," Cao noted.

 

Stefka reaffirmed to adhere to the one-China policy, hoping to step up bilateral cooperation in political, economic and military spheres.

 

Stefka will also visit Xi'an, China's ancient capital in central Shaanxi Province and the economic center Shanghai.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2007)