China, PNG agree to strengthen defense cooperation

BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The defense ministers of China and Papua New Guinea (PNG) met here on Tuesday, vowing to jointly strengthen exchanges and cooperation.

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie highly praised the momentum of China-PNG ties in recent years, saying that bilateral relations had seen great progress since the two countries established diplomatic relations 32 years ago.

China-PNG military ties maintained smooth growth featuring high-level exchanges and cooperation, Liang said, adding that China is willing to work with PNG to continuously deepen and expand military cooperation to bring bilateral ties to a new height.

Liang also briefed his PNG counterpart, Bob Dadae, about the Chinese government's position on the Taiwan issue.

Echoing Liang's remarks, Dadae said that the PNG government attached great importance to developing relations with China, which has played a positive role in PNG's development and construction.

PNG hopes to continue learning from China's successful experiences in national construction and armed forces building, Dadae said.

During the one-hour discussion, Dadae reiterated the PNG government's firm stance of supporting the one-China policy.

Before the talks, Dadae, accompanied by Liang, reviewed the guards of honor of the three services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

This is the first time for Dadae to visit China as defense minister since taking office in August 2007. He arrived here on Tuesday at the invitation of Liang.