China will further promote exchanges and cooperation with Eritrean armed forces, said Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan in Beijing Thursday.

 

Cao told visiting Eritrean Defense Minister Sebhat Ephrem that Chinese and Eritrean peoples enjoy traditional friendship, and the two countries have witnessed stable development of bilateral relations since forging diplomatic ties, with fruitful cooperation in various fields.

 

China appreciates Eritrea's adherence to the one-China policy and its support to China in human rights issues, Cao said.

 

Cao briefed the guests on China's army building situation, saying that the Chinese armed forces values the friendship with Eritrean armed forces and is ready to further increase friendly cooperation between the two sides.

 

Sebhat expressed appreciation for China's achievements in economic and social progress, and thanked China for providing support and assistance to Eritrea.

 

Eritrea will work with China to further promote the exchanges and cooperation between the two armed forces, so as to push for the development of bilateral relations, he noted.

 

Sebhat also reiterated that Eritrea would continue sticking to the one-China policy.

 

Sebhat arrived here Thursday on an official goodwill visit to China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2006)