China, Belarus pledge to enhance military cooperation

BEIJING, May 25 -- Chinese and Belarusian senior military officials on Monday pledged to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.

In his meeting with Belarusian Defense Minister Andrei Ravkov, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong said that Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Belarus injected new impetus for the development of China-Belarus relations.

Fan said Chinese military and Belarusian military have a fruitful cooperation, expressing the hope that the two sides work together to implement the consensus reached by head of state of the two countries and expand cooperation areas.

Ravkov spoke highly of bilateral ties. He said Belarus regards China as a reliable friend and a strategic partner and Belarus is committed to deepening military cooperation with China.

Also on Monday, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan held talks with Ravkov.

Chang said two militaries should see the consensus reached by Xi and Lukashenko as guidelines, China is willing to make joint efforts with Belarus to bring bilateral military ties to a new higher level.

Ravkov said Belarus cherishes the friendship with China and regards Belarus-China ties as a priority and the bilateral military cooperation has made positive contribution to the development of bilateral ties.