Chinese, Azerbaijan Defense Ministers Hold Talks

Chinese Vice-President Meets Azerbaijani Defence Minister

Defense Minister Chi Haotian said Thursday that Chinese military forces have paid much attention to developing friendly relations with the forces of Azerbaijan.

China also would like to develop multi-level exchanges between the two armies in all fields on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, Chi said during talks with his Azerbaijan counterpart Safar Abiyev.

Safar Abiyev is the first Azerbaijan defense minister to visit China since his country became independent.

Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a State Councilor, said that the current international situation is tending to ease, and peace and development are the trends of the times. However, he added, hegemony and power politics still exist.

China holds that a new security philosophy, with mutual trust and benefit, and equality and cooperation at the core, should be established, Chi noted.

On the Taiwan issue, he said the Chinese government's attitude towards the new leader in the Taiwan region is one of listening to his words and watching his deeds.

He said the Chinese People's Liberation Army will not sit idly by and watch any inch of territory split from the motherland.

Abiyev reaffirmed that Azerbaijan continues to hold the one China position. He said that Azerbaijan-China cooperation is promising, and voiced his hope to further the friendly exchanges between the two armies and states.

Abiyev and his party arrived here this morning at the invitation of Chi.