Senior PLA official meets with counterparts during sidelines of Shangri-La Dialogue

Admiral Sun Jianguo, Vice Chief of Staff of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), separately met with Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee Pathick de Rousiers, Chairman of NATO Military Committee Knud Bartels, as well as Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh on Saturday during the second day of 14th Shangri-La Dialogue.

Sun said that Sino-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has maintained a high level of development, and both sides will continue to deepen mutual trust in politics, enhance fruitful cooperation in various fields, as well as maintain good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

China is willing to cooperate with Russia by earnestly implementing the consensus which leaders of the two countries have reached, promoting pragmatic cooperation in important areas of the two armies, and expanding military cooperation to impose new impetus towards bilateral relations, according to Admiral Sun.

Antonov said that bilateral relations between Russia and China are highly strategic, and the two countries have carried out fruitful exchanges and cooperation at all levels in various fields, such as professional exchanges and personnel exchanges. He expected that both sides will continue to cooperate with each other in joint exercise and training, military skills competition and academic exchange and in other areas.

When meeting with chairman of the European Union Military Committee Pathick de Rousiers, Sun said that defense cooperation between China and EU has developed well, China is willing to deepen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

De Rossi thanked Chinese army for assisting the evacuation of European nationals from Yemen in April, and he said EU has maintained high-level contacts with the Chinese military, carried out exchanges and cooperation in international escort, peacekeeping, and personnel training.

The Admiral elaborated on China's stance on the South China Sea issues during the meeting, and De Rossi said that EU hopes all parties involved to engage in political dialogues to solve disputes.

During his meeting with Bartels, Chairman of NATO Military Committee, Sun said that China pays special attention to the role of NATO in the international political and security affairs, and is willing to continue practical cooperation with NATO in the field of defense and security.

Bartels said the frequent contacts between NATO and China contribute to greater mutual understanding. NATO hopes to continue dialogue with the Chinese military to promote exchanges and cooperation in international escort, personnel training and other fields.

When meeting with Cambodia's Tea Banh, Sun said that Sino- Cambodian relations have witnessed rapid development over the years as the two sides always support and trust each other.

Tea Banh said Cambodia is willing to establish friendly relations with China, and cooperation between the armies is satisfying. Tea Banh also thanked China's assistance on equipment and technologies as well as on education. Endi