BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China and Pakistan pledged tostrengthen defense ties Thursday at a meeting between Chinese DefenseMinister Liang Guanglie and visiting Pakistani Chief of Army StaffAshfaq Parvez Kayani. "Cooperation between the Chinese and Pakistani armed forces isexemplary and has been fruitful," Liang, also a state councilor, saidduring the meeting at Diaoyutai Guest House Thursday morning.
Liang said the two sides should make continuous efforts to conduct their cooperation programs well.
He said China would join hands with Pakistan to bring military relations to a new high.
Kayani said Pakistan values its defense and security cooperationwith China, noting that the two countries have cooperated fruitfully innational defense industries in recent years.
He added Pakistan would further strengthen exchange and cooperation with China.
Kayani also met with Chinese State Councilor and Minister forPublic Security Meng Jianzhu, top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo, andVice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong laterThursday.
During the meeting with Meng Jianzhu, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in law enforcement and security.
Hailing results achieved in the two fields, Meng pointed outPakistan's active efforts in cooperating with China, including inanti-terrorism. He said he believed that the China-Pakistan cooperationin law enforcement and security would continue to develop with thejoint efforts from both sides.
Kayani echoed Meng saying the Pakistani government and its armedforces attached much importance to the strategic cooperation withChina, and the government would further enhance it.
During a meeting with Guo Boxiong, the senior officer of thePeople's Liberation Army of China stressed the importance of strategiccommunication between China and Pakistan.
Guo said the all-weather friendship between the two countries hasendured major international challenges. Facing the changinginternational and regional security situation, the two sides shouldstrengthen strategic communication, deepen substantial cooperation andmake positive contributions to regional peace and prosperity.
Kayani said Pakistan valued and was proud of its traditional friendship with China