BEIJING, Dec. 24 -- China and Malaysia on Tuesday agreed to strengthen military cooperation through joint drills and exchanges between the two naval forces.

During the talks with Chief of Malaysian Armed Forces Zulkifeli Mohd. Zin, Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Fang Fenghui said the two armed forces have conducted fruitful cooperation in areas such as exchange of high-level visits, personnel training and exchange of visits of naval vessels.

China would like to lift bilateral military ties to a new height through joint drills, military education and exchanges between the two navies, said Fang.

Zulkifeli said Malaysia attaches great importance to the military ties with China, adding that the Malaysian side is ready to forge ahead the relationship.

The two sides also have an in-depth exchange of views on the issue of the South China Sea.