Chinese Defense Minister Meets Ecuadorian GuestConsolidating the relations between the armed forces of China and Ecuador conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples and China is willing to join efforts with Ecuador to further develop such relations, said Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian Wednesday.Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, made the remark when meeting Admiral Miguel Saona Roca, chief of the Joint Command of the Military Forces of Ecuador, and his party. Chi said that since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1980, bilateral relations have been developing smoothly, with exchanges and cooperation in the political, economic, military, cultural and other fields constantly expanding. The two countries have maintained good cooperation in international affairs, Chi said. Chi expressed thanks for Ecuador's support to China on the Taiwan issue. He also briefed the guests on the achievements China has made in economic reforms and opening to the outside world over the past 20 years and China's foreign policy. Saona said he believed his visit will help promote the friendly cooperative relationship between the two countries' armed forces. He expressed willingness to expand exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese side in the military field. Chief of General Staff Meets Ecuadorian GuestChina's military is willing to promote a stable and healthy development of the friendly relationship with the military of Ecuador in the 21st century, Fu Quanyou, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said Wednesday.Fu made the remark in talks with Admiral Miguel Saona, visiting chief of the Joint Command of the Military Forces of Ecuador. Fu, also a member of the Central Military Commission, said that since China and Ecuador established diplomatic relations 21 years ago, the relationship between the two armed forces has maintained a good development momentum alongside the smooth development of the state-to-state relations. The exchanges and cooperation in the military field have helped improve mutual understanding and friendship, he said, expressing the hope that in the 21st century the relations between the two armed forces will continue to develop in a stable and healthy way. He said China's social system and domestic and foreign policies have decided that the country take a defensive national defense policy. China will not practice hegemonism or expansionism, nor will it form military alliance with any other country. Fu expressed appreciation and thanks for the Ecuadorian government's upholding of the one-China policy and having no official exchange with Taiwan. Saona agreed with Fu, saying that the Ecuadorian and Chinese militaries have a lot in common, they both pursue defensive national defense policies and they both actively participate in the economic construction of their own countries. He expressed the hope that the two sides will further reinforce cooperation and exchanges for the steady and healthy development of bilateral relations. He reiterated that the Ecuadorian government will continue to stick to the one-China policy. Saona came to China at the invitation of Fu. Apart from Beijing, he will also visit the cities of Jinan, Xi'an and Shanghai. |
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