China, Kazakhstan to increase military co-op (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-04-27 16:11
Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said in Beiing Thursday that China
will work with Kazakhstan to increase cooperation in defense and security.
Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state
councilor, was speaking in a meeting with Kazakhstan's first deputy defense
minister and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff B. Darbekov.
Cao said China and Kazakhstan, as friendly neighbors and strategic partners,
enjoy fruitful cooperation in trade, energy, transport, security and culture,
with concrete benefits for both peoples.
Military relations have developed soundly with group exchanges and personnel
training and the Chinese government is ready to expand relations, Cao said.
Cao said China will work with Kazakhstan to increase cooperation in defense
to safeguard security and stability in the region and to extend the two
countries' strategic partnership.
Darbekov, who attended the defense ministers meeting of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) here on Wednesday, praised the Chinese
government's efforts in hosting the meeting.
He said he appreciated China's assistance for Kazakhstan, saying China will
remain a good friend and neighbor.
At Wednesday's meeting, defense ministers from Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan agreed to enhance defense cooperation and to
stage a joint anti-terrorist military exercise in Russia in 2007.
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