State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe met with defense and military officials who attended the 9th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Oct 21-22 in Beijing.

He also met with representatives attending the think tank exchange between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Oct 22.

Foreign officials extended their congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the success of the 7th Military World Games and the Xiangshan forum.

While meeting with Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks, Wei said that during the Davos forum in September last year, President Xi Jinping met with Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis, and the two leaders reached a series of consensus on developing bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Latvia to tap into potential for military cooperation, he added.

Pabriks said Latvia will increase military cooperation with China and advance relations between the two countries and armies.

While meeting with Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan, Wei said that under the strategic guidance of the two nations’ leaders, mutual political trust is increasingly deepened, cooperation in various fields is strengthened, and military ties remain stable. China will continue to promote pragmatic military cooperation with Armenia and improve military ties, Wei added.

Tonoyan said Armenia values the traditional friendship with China, and will increase military exchanges and expand cooperation in various areas.

While meeting with Kazakhstan’s Defense Minister Nurlan Ermekbaev, Wei said China and Kazakhstan have decided recently to forge a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, adding that the Chinese army will strengthen strategic communications with Kazakhstan, and deepen cooperation in joint exercises and training, and anti-terrorism, among others.

Kazakhstan has been dedicated to deepening the friendship between the two armies and will further promote military relations between the two countries.

China and Belarus are all-weather friends, Wei said during the meeting with Belarusian Defense Minister Andrei Ravkov. China is willing to cooperate with Belarus to carry out leaders’ consensuses on developing an all-weather friendship and building a community with shared interests and future, and will keep promoting military cooperation between the two countries.

Ravkov said Belarus cherishes the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and will increase military cooperation and consolidate strategic mutual trust.

Wei said to Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov that China-Azerbaijan ties have a long history. China is willing to deepen strategic mutual trust and continue to step up cooperation in all fields along with Azerbaijan, while jointly constructing the Belt and Road Initiative.

Hasanov said that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to China-Azerbaijan ties and is an unswerving supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative. Azerbaijan is willing to strengthen military dialogue with China.

While meeting with Rayimberdi Duishenbiev, chief of the general staff of the armed forces of Kyrgyzstan, Wei said that China and Kyrgyzstan have been deepening political mutual trust and making achievements in various aspects. China hopes that both military forces will remain cordial partners and continue to probe into new fields for cooperation, and further deepen the all-around China-Kyrgyzstan strategic partnership.

Duishenbiev said that Kyrgyzstan is grateful for China's long-term support, and is willing to deepen military cooperation in joint training and anti-terrorism, among others, in a bid to safeguard regional security.

Wei said to Vanuatu's Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Napuat that China and Vanuatu have been supporting each other faithfully since the establishment of their diplomatic ties. The Chinese military appreciates the defense cooperation with Vanuatu and hopes that both sides can step up project planning and expand the spectrum of cooperation, in a bid to help the China-Vanuatu ties scale new heights.

Napuat said that Vanuatu firmly supports the one-China policy and the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to boost China-Vanuatu ties.

While meeting with Angolan Defense Minister Salviano de Jesus Sequeira, Wei said that China and Angola have been strengthening their political mutual trust and reciprocal cooperation ever since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Both sides are supportive of each other’s key interests and significant concerns. China hopes that they will continue to step up cooperation.

Sequeira said that Angola highly values the China-Angola military ties and hopes to deepen cooperation in all fields with China.

While meeting with Rwanda’s Defense Minister Albert Murasira, Wei said China and Rwanda should work together to implement the consensus made at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and align the Belt and Road Initiative with the Rwanda Vision 2020, to better serve people of the two countries.

There is huge potential for China-Rwanda military cooperation, and the two countries should join hands to improve bilateral military relations, Wei said.
Murasira said Rwanda values its friendship with China, and is willing to cooperate with China in defense and security.

During talks with Guinea's Minister of Defense Mohamed Diane, Wei praised China and Guinea for setting a good example for China-Africa cooperation. In recent years, their comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership has developed rapidly, with major cooperative projects carried out under the frame of the Belt and Road Initiative.

China pays great attention to their defense and security relations and will contribute to development of bilateral military ties, Wei said.

Diane expressed his gratitude for China's long-term aid to Guinea, saying Guinea is ready to deepen cooperation with China in peacekeeping and anti-terrorism.

The state councilor also met with Suriname's Minister of Defense Ronni Benschop, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Suriname have deepened political mutual trust and cooperation in different areas, leading to positive results.

China and Suriname support each other in major international and regional issues. China attaches great importance to developing friendly military relations with Suriname, and is ready to enhance cooperation to enrich bilateral ties, Wei said.

Benschop expressed his appreciation for China's continuing support of Suriname, which resolutely supports the one-China policy and will make efforts to improve bilateral relations.

The state councilor said to Papua New Guinea’s Defense Minister Saki Soloma that China regards Papua New Guinea as a true friend. Their bilateral ties have progressed in recent years, with close communication in multilateral organizations.

Wei said he hopes the militaries of the two countries can work together to expand cooperation in various fields and enrich their comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual respect and development.

Soloma said Papua New Guinea values its relations with China and upholds the one-China policy. Papua New Guinea is willing to make positive contributions to relations between the two countries as well as the two militaries.

While meeting with representatives attending the think tank exchange between China and ASEAN, Wei said the goal of holding such an event is to build a dialogue platform for think tanks and scholars to promote academic communication in defense and security, and to boost trust and cooperation.

China will uphold the diplomatic concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, and strengthen defense and security relations with ASEAN countries for a closer community of a shared future, Wei said.