英语文摘:China seeks to advance military ties with Singapore

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China Tuesday pledged to continue to promote the development of military relations with Singapore.

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie made the remarks when meeting with Chiang Chie Foo, visiting Permanent Secretary of the Singaporean Defense Ministry.

Recent years had witnessed a rapid development of China-Singapore relations, with political mutual trust, a reciprocal and mutually beneficial economic relationship and fruitful cooperation, Liang said.

Bilateral military ties had undergone a healthy development, with sound exchanges and cooperation mechanisms, frequent high-level visits and good cooperation in personnel training, joint military training and escort missions, Liang said.

China was willing to work with Singapore to continuously boost relations between the two countries and armed forces, so as to play an active role in jointly safeguarding regional security and stability, he said.

Chiang said Singapore attached great importance to the development of its relations with China.

The two armed forces were expected to maintain exchanges and cooperation and to strengthen understanding and mutual trust, he said.

Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and Chiang co-chaired the third China-Singapore defense policy dialogue before the meeting.

Both sides exchanged views in-depth on regional security, relations of the two countries and armed forces as well as other issues of common concern and reached consensus on further strengthening military ties.

They agreed to continue to enhance China-Singapore military cooperation and promote the development of friendly and cooperative military relations.

The two nations held the first defense policy dialogue in January 2008 in China and the second in March 2009 in Singapore.