Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with
French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie in Beijing yesterday afternoon.
Guo Boxiong said that along with steady development of the Sino-French
comprehensive strategic partnership, the two countries have carried out
extensive cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields, and the
amity between the two countries is deeply rooted in the hearts of the peoples of
the two countries. The Chinese government treasures its friendly cooperative
relations with France, and the Chinese people cherish the friendship with the
French people. China regards France as her trustworthy friend and partner, and
we have full confidence in the future of the Sino-French relations.
Guo Boxiong also indicated that in recent years, the two militaries have
also witnessed marked upgrade in the amount and quality of their exchanges, as
evidenced by frequent exchanges of high-level visits, remarkable results
achieved in strategic dialogue and ever deepening of exchange and cooperation in
the specialized fields. The Chinese side is satisfied with the momentum of sound
development of relations between the two militaries, and is willing to make
concerted efforts with the French side to push the exchanges and cooperation
between the two militaries in various fields and at various levels to a new
high.
Michele Alliot-Marie said that in recent years, there has been frequent
exchange of high-level visits between France and China, and the mutual trust
between the two nations and between the leaders of the two countries has been
constantly deepened. She expressed the hope that the two countries would
strengthen cooperation on major international issues and work together to
maintain world peace and stability. She also said that the exchanges between the
two militaries should be further enhanced so as to increase the mutual
understanding and constantly consolidate and deepen the existing friendship
between the two countries and the two militaries.
Zhang Qinsheng, deputy chief of general staff of the PLA, was present at
the meeting.
By Luo Zheng
(Mar. 20, PLA Daily)
