An Air Force general of the Chinese People's Liberation Army has held talks with visiting ASEAN officials in Beijing. Thursday's meeting marked the end of three-day China-ASEAN defense dialogue.

The Ministry of National Defense was the last stop for visiting ASEAN officials on their three-day China-ASEAN defense dialogue.

Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian from PLA Air Force gave a positive assessment of the scholars' defense dialogue. He hopes they will continue to contribute to China-ASEAN cooperation.

ASEAN officials say the sincere exchange of ideas with Chinese military experts has enhanced mutual trust and understanding. They believe this defense dialogue will become one of the regular China-ASEAN mechanisms.

The defense dialogue has taken place at a good time, when East Asian countries need to work together to tackle the financial crisis, and to solve lingering territorial disputes over the South China Sea.

(CCTV April 3, 2009)