Li Jinai, member of the Central Military Commission of the CPC and director of the General Armaments Department of the PLA, met with Lt. Gen. Jianni Botondi, vice general secretary of defense and vice director of armaments of Italian armed forces yesterday. Li and his guest exchanged opinions on the issues of common concern in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, such as relations between the two armed forces, and military technology cooperation between the two sides.

　　Li said that friendship between Chinese and Italian peoples could trace back to ancient times. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago, the friendly relations of cooperation had been steadily enhanced. The Chinese armed forces valued the relations with Italian armed forces and were willing to further develop cooperation between the two armed forces in various fields.

　　Lt. Gen. Jianni Botondi spoke highly of the development of friendly relations between the two countries and the two armed forces, and expressed willingness to work together with the Chinese side to push the relations between the two countries and two armed forces to a new height.

　　By Fan Juwei

　　(September 16, PLA Daily)