Chinese Defense Minister Meets Chilean GuestsChinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian met Monday with a logistic delegation from the Chilean armed forces headed by Ricardo Gutierrez Alfaro, chief of staff of the Chilean national Defence.Chi, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said that China and Chile have maintained good cooperation in the political, economic and military fields since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1970. The Chinese government thanked the Chilean government for its support on issues of human rights and on Taiwan, he said. The defense minister said that Sino-Chilean military relations have developed smoothly, and the strengthening bilateral military ties are to their mutual advantage. He said that Chinese armed forces are ready to further the friendly relations with their Chilean counterparts. Gutierrez replied that Chile also intends to do the same with the Chinese government and the armed forces. He said that relations between Chile and China have developed smoothly in recent years because of their frequent exchange of visits. He added that Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar will participate in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Shanghai in two weeks time. Chinese, Chilean Senior Officers Hold TalksWang Ke, director of the Chinese PLA General Logistics Department, held talks Monday with a logistic delegation of the Chilean armed forces headed by Ricardo Gutierrez Alfaro, Chief of Staff of the Chilean national defence.Wang, also a member of the Central Military Commission, said that the Chinese and Chilean peoples have enjoyed a long-term friendship although the two countries are a long way apart. The two countries and their armed forces have cooperated in all fields since they forged diplomatic ties in 1970, he added. The Chinese military has made reforms in the logistic field, and hopes to cooperate with Chilean counterparts in this area and to develop bilateral military relations. Wen Guangchun, deputy director of the Chinese PLA General Logistics Department, briefed the guests on the PLA's logistics work. Gutierrez said that China's economic growth is admired world- wide. Chile values its relations with China, and has lessons to learn from it. He believes that his visit will enhance the cooperation between the Chilean and Chinese armed forces in the logistical field. |
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