Chinese Minister of National Defense Cao Gangchuan held talks in Beijing Wednesday with Minister of Defense of Norway Kristin Krohn Devold.  

Cao, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said the armed forces of China values the relationship with their Norwegian counterpart.

He said, friendly exchanges between the armed forces of the two sides are frequent in recent years, hoping they can learn from each other for further development of their friendly relations.

Devold is the first minister of defense of Norway to visit China and her visit to China is bound to promote friendly exchanges between the two countries and armed forces, Cao said.

He also briefed Devold on China's stance on the Taiwan issue.

Devold said Norway appreciated China's rapid economic development and its active role in international affairs.

Maintaining international security is a common task of all countries, she said, hoping the two sides can learn from each other to meet the challenge of modernizing the armed forces.

She reiterated that Norway will continue to adhere to the one-China policy.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2004)