Xu Caihou, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, who is in New Zealand on an official friendly visit, met with Phil Goff, defense minister of New Zealand, on Monday in Wellington, and the two sides had a friendly and in-depth exchange of views on the relations between the two countries and the two militaries as well as the issues of common concern.

Xu spoke highly of the progress made in recent years of the relations between the two militaries. He said that the relation between the two militaries is an important component of the Sino-New Zealand bilateral relations, thus to strengthen exchange and cooperation between the two militaries is of great significance for promoting in-depth development of the Sino-New Zealand bilateral relations and for furthering peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region. He also briefed his hosts on China's national defense policy of the defensive nature and the army building and renewed China's principled stand on the Taiwan Issue.

Meanwhile Phil Goff said that New Zealand Government highly values its relation with China, and strengthening the exchange and cooperation between the two militaries will surely promote constant deepening of the ties between the two militaries, promote the development of existing friendly relations between the two countries and help maintain the world peace, stability and prosperity. He also said that the New Zealand Government will continue to stick to the one-China policy.

Before the meeting, Xu held talks with chief of the Defense Forces and acting secretary-general of the Defense Ministry of New Zealand. (Xinhua)