BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on Thursday expressed gratitude for U.S. relief materials to China's quake-hit Sichuan Province.

　　Liang expressed the Chinese side's appreciation and gratitude in a meeting with Peter Pace, former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his delegation of the U.S. foreign policy council.

　　Liang, also a state councilor, said the U.S. military has provided relief materials to China following the massive earthquake that hit China's Sichuan Province on May 12, which indicated the friendship between the two peoples and armed forces.

　　Liang said overall China-U.S. military ties enjoy good momentum of development, with stable progress on high-level visits, mechanism exchanges, and exchanges between military institutions.

　　He said the two armed forces have enriched bilateral cooperation with the establishment of hot lines and other means.

　　Liang also briefed the guests on China's stance over the Taiwan issue.

　　Pace expressed condolences and regards over the severe loss in the quake disaster on behalf of his delegation, hoping that the Chinese people would rebuild the towns in the quake-hit area at an early date.

　　He hoped that the United States and China would build up open and positive relations between the two nations and the two armed forces.

　　The delegation led by Pace was here for a visit from June 4 to 11 at the invitation of the Chinese Association for International Understanding.