PLA Daily 2006-10-13

　　Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Commission and chief of general staff of the PLA, held talks with the visiting Jerry Mataparae, chief of New Zealand's Defense Forces yesterday in Beijing.

　　Liang said that in recent years, along with the stable development of the relations between China and New Zealand, the relations between the two militaries have also maintained a good momentum of development, as evidenced by frequent exchange of high level visits, steady expansion of exchanges and cooperation in specialized fields, and a good momentum of multi-level, wide-ranging and all-directional development of relations between the two militaries. The Chinese side is satisfied with the sound development of the bilateral ties between the two militaries.

　　In order to further the relations between the two militaries, Liang put forward three proposals: first, to continue to maintain the good momentum of reciprocal visits by high-level officials of the two militaries so as to strengthen communications, promote understanding, develop friendship and expand cooperation; second, to start up dialogue between the two militaries at strategic level; third, to widen the exchange between the two militaries in specialized fields and increase exchanges in the non-traditional security field.

　　Liang also briefed Jerry Mataparae on China's national defense policy and the army building.

　　Jerry Mataparae noted that China has played a positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability. The New Zealand Defense Forces attaches importance to developing its ties with the Chinese Armed Forces, and is willing to further strengthen the exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese Armed Forces at various levels.

　　By Zhang Shun

　　(Oct 13, PLA Daily)