Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Commission and chief of general staff of the PLA, held talks with Mathieu Boni, the visiting chief of staff of the Beninese Armed Forces, yesterday in Beijing.

　　Liang said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Benin, the friendly cooperative relations between the two countries have enjoyed a sustainable and stable development. In recent year, the two militaries have also maintained satisfactory friendly exchanges and cooperation, as evidenced by frequent exchange of high-level visits and steady strengthening of exchanges and cooperation in various fields. China values the development of the Sino-Beninese relations and is willing to work together with the Beninese side to increase exchanges and expand cooperation so as to lift the friendly cooperative relations between the two countries and two militaries to a higher level. Liang also expressed his appreciation of the Beninese Government's adherence to the one-China policy and its support to China's reunification efforts.

　　Boni said that Benin attaches importance to developing friendly ties with China and he expressed the hope that through his current visit the exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries in various fields would be further strengthened.

　　Before the talks, Liang Guanglie held a welcome ceremony for Mathieu Boni.

　　Other leaders including Xu Qiliang, deputy chief of general staff of the PLA, also attended the above-mentioned activities.

　　Mathieu Boni and his party arrived in Beijing on November 28 for an official friendly visit to China at the invitation of Liang Guanglie.

　　By Zhang Shun

　　(Nov 30, PLA Daily)