Liang Guanglie, chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Sunday met with Phung Quang Thanh, the Defense Minister of Vietnam. The two military leaders promised to further promote bilateral military ties.

Liang, also a member of the Central Military Commission, said the China-Vietnam friendship and military exchanges are expanding to new width and depth, and that China is willing to join hands with Vietnam to further mutual trust and deepen bilateral cooperation.

Phung Quang Thanh said Vietnam attaches great importance to its relationship with China and hopes to further cement the relations between the two counties and the two armed forces through his current visit.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2007)