BEIJING, June 4 -- Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong met on Wednesday with visiting Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

Calling Pakistan a "true friend" of China, Fan said the development of bilateral "all-weather friendship" is the common option of the two peoples.

China appreciates Pakistan's strong support for China in combating terrorists of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Fan said, calling on the two sides to further counter-terrorism cooperation.

Fan said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is willing to enhance concrete and long-term exchanges and cooperation with the Pakistani army.

Echoing Fan's remarks on bilateral ties, Sharif said Pakistan firmly supports China on major issues regarding China's core interests.

The ETIM is the common enemy of the two countries, Sharif said, adding Pakistan will spare no efforts to crack down on it.