China, Russia vow to enhance military ties

Fan Changlong (R), vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), meets with Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug 27, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

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BEIJING -- Top Chinese and Russian military officers pledged to further enhance military ties on Wednesday.

Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), told Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, the development of relations between the two countries and the two armed forces have maintained good momentum in recent years.

The two sides conducted fruitful cooperation in areas of high-level exchanges, strategic consultation, joint military exercises and others, said Fan.

China is willing to work with Russia to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of states, continue to enhance mutual support and coordination, expand depth and width of cooperation so as to jointly safeguard regional stability and world peace and development, said Fan.

During his speech, Gerasimov said the bilateral state-to-state and military-to-military ties between China and Russian have entered a new stage.

He said Russia is ready to make joint efforts with China to lift the bilateral ties to a new high.

The two sides also exchanged views on the regional and international situation as well as military reforms.

Also on Wednesday, Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Fang Fenghui held talks with Gerasimov.

Gerasimov will attend the meeting of the chiefs of general staff of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members held in Beijing on Thursday.

Founded in 2001, the SCO consists of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.