Defense Minister Cao
Gangchuan, also vice chairman of the Central Military
Commission and state councilor, met with British Royal Navy's First
Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Alan West in Beijing on
Tuesday.
Sino-British relations are better than ever, according to Cao,
who went on to say that their furtherance complies with the
interests of both nations, and facilitates world peace, stability
and prosperity.
The ties between the two countries' militaries have been
reinforced with frequent high-level visits and increased
professional exchanges, he added.
West said recent years have witnessed closer exchange and
cooperation between them. The British side hopes that this momentum
will continue in years to come.
The two navies staged a search-and-rescue drill off the eastern
coastal city of Qingdao. This is their first joint maritime
exercise.
(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2004)