Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met in Beijing Wednesday with Chairman of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Greek Parliament Panagiotis Kammenos.

"China attaches great importance to the relations with Greece and considers Greece as a reliable friend," said Cao, who is also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor.

Cao hailed the ties between Chinese and Greek armed forces, which have maintained a good momentum in recent years with frequent exchanges of high-level visits and intensified cooperation in technical spheres.

He called for continued exchanges with the Greek side to push forward the relations between the two countries and two armed forces to a new level.

Echoing Cao's remarks, Kammenos said Greece is ready to advance bilateral relations within the framework of China-Greece all-round strategic partnership.

He reaffirmed Greece's firm adherence to the one-China policy.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2007)