BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- China will work with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to expand the cooperation between the two armed forces and the two nations, said Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie here on Tuesday.

　　Liang, who is also a state councilor, made the remarks during a meeting with Ri Byong Chol, commander of the air force of the DPRK People's Army.

　　China and the DPRK had maintained friendly political, economic, cultural and military ties, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the DPRK People's Army also held frequent exchanges and cooperation in fields such as staff training and border control, Liang said.

　　China would like to make joint efforts with the DPRK to strengthen communication and coordination in order to contribute to regional peace and stability, Liang said.

　　Agreeing with Liang, Ri Byong Chol cited the traditional friendship between the DPRK and China as the "common treasure" of the two peoples and armed forces. The air force of the DPRK People's Army hoped to promote further cooperation and exchanges with the PLA air force.

　　Xu Qiliang, the PLA air force commander, and the DPRK Ambassador to China Choe Jin Su also attended the meeting.