Military cooperation between Russia and China is not targeted at a third country but is aimed to guarantee regional peace and security, stressed Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Ivanov in Beijing Wednesday at a press conference after talks with his Chinese counterpart.

Ivanov said that during the talks with Chinese Minister of National Defense Cao Gangchuan, the two sides discussed the framework of cooperation in military technology, but details of this cooperation need further consultation.

The military cooperation between the two sides are large in scale and rapid in speed, including exchanges of visits, personneltraining and sending military observers to the other to watch military exercises, Ivanov said.

Ivanov said he also exchanged views with Cao on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula. "The nuclear issue has an impact onthe peace and security of the Asian and Pacific region," he said.

"We believe that there are no other channels to solve the issuethan political and peaceful means," he said. "We call upon the parties concerned to start the third round of six-party talks early."

Russian DM: military cooperation to safeguard regional stability

Military cooperation between Russia and China is not targeted at a third country but is aimed to guarantee regional peace and security, stressed Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Ivanov in Beijing Wednesday at a press conference after talks with his Chinese counterpart.

Ivanov said that during the talks with Chinese Minister of National Defense Cao Gangchuan, the two sides discussed the framework of cooperation in military technology, but details of this cooperation need further consultation.

The military cooperation between the two sides are large in scale and rapid in speed, including exchanges of visits, personneltraining and sending military observers to the other to watch military exercises, Ivanov said.

Ivanov said he also exchanged views with Cao on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula. "The nuclear issue has an impact onthe peace and security of the Asian and Pacific region," he said.

"We believe that there are no other channels to solve the issuethan political and peaceful means," he said. "We call upon the parties concerned to start the third round of six-party talks early."

On the fight against terrorism, Ivanov said the fight is a popular topic today, but Russia opposes a double standard on the issue.

Cooperation between Russia and China in this area has concrete content, he said.

The two sides have conducted joint military exercises against terrorism under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, he said, adding similar exercises will be held in the future.

Cao Gangchuan also answered questions at the press conference. He said Ivanov visited China shortly after he was reelected as theRussian Minister of Defense, which reflected that the new Russian government values its friendly relations with China.

Cao said that during his talks with Ivanov, the two sides highly evaluated the strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries and both sides vowed to push forward bilateral relations between the two countries and armed forces.

Chinese, Russian DMs hold talks

Chinese Minister of National Defense Cao Gangchuan held talks in Beijing Wednesday with Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Ivanov.

Cao, also a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said the armed forces of China and Russia are forces with a glorious history.

To strengthen friendly cooperation of the two armed forces is an embodiment of the strategic partnership of cooperation of the two countries in the military field and is conducive to maintaining world peace and stability, Cao said.

Ivanov said the strategic partnership of cooperation is the common choice of the two peoples.

The Russian armed forces are willing to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to push forward development of bilateral military relations, he said.

Cao reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan issue. Ivanov noted that Russia will continue to adhere to the one-China policy.

CMC chairman meets Russian DM

China hopes its military relationship with Russia will continue to develop, said China's top military leader Jiang Zemin in Beijing Wednesday afternoon.

"The military-to-military relations constitute an important component part of the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two nations, and currently it has maintained a good momentum for development," he said.

Jiang, chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission, told Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov that both the Chinese and Russians are great peoples who have contributed tremendously to human civilization.

The strategic and cooperative partnership conforms to the interests and common aspirations of the people of both nations, and benefits world peace and stability, he said.

He mentioned the Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 2001, saying that the concepts defined in the treaty such as living in friendship from generation to generation and never regarding each other as foes is the earnest commitment to the people of the two nations, as well as the solemndeclaration to the world.

He voiced the conviction that Sino-Russian cooperation would make still greater contribution to the peace and development of the humanity.

Ivanov said that China and Russia are the biggest neighbors to each other, and both countries are permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations, and the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two nations conforms to the interests of both nations and their people, and benefits regional and world peace and stability.

Meanwhile, he expressed the willingness of the Russian side to continue to enhance the relations of cooperation with China in allspheres and go on pushing ahead with the partnership of strategic cooperation.

During the meeting, Chairman Jiang spoke highly of Russia's adherence to the one-China policy. Ivanov reaffirmed that the Russian side will continue to adhere to this policy and support the policy of "peaceful reunification, and one China, two systems".

PLA Chief meets Russian DM

Liang Guanglie, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), met with Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Ivanov in Beijing Wednesday.

Liang said China and Russia are friendly neighboring countries.As an important part of the strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries, the military relations between the two sides also enjoyed development in recent years, he said.

He said development of bilateral relations between the two armed forces plays an important role in promoting the strategic partnership of cooperation and regional stability as well as the world security.

The Chinese side would like to strengthen cooperation with the Russian side for further development of bilateral relations, he stressed.

Ivanov said Russia attaches great importance to the friendship and cooperation with China.

Russia is satisfied with the development of strategic partnership cooperation with China, and is willing to make joint efforts with China to enhance exchanges and cooperation in all fields including the military field, he stressed.

Liang reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan issue. Ivanov said Russia will continue to adhere to the one-China principle.

Source: Xinhua