Article Posted on : - May 30, 2016

DHAKA (PTI): China has vowed to boost military-to-military relations with Bangladesh by stepping up defence ties, including broadening of personnel training and cooperation in equipment technology.

The pledge came after China's Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan met with Bangladesh's top military officials in Dhaka on May 29.

Chief of Bangladesh army General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq, Chief of navy Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed and Chief of air force Marshal Abu Esrar respectively met the visiting Chinese defence minister.

Chang said the cooperation in the sectors of politics, economy and trade, and culture between the two sides have seen great achievements since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975.

"Cultivated and pushed by the leaders of the two countries, the development of the military ties between the two countries has maintained good momentum with cooperation in all fields further deepening," Chang said.

The Chinese military is willing to work together with the Bangladesh military to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, boost strategic exchange and mutual support, he said.

Further, China is ready to broaden personnel training and cooperation in equipment technology, promote exchanges between the young military officers of the two countries and push forward the comprehensive development of bilateral ties, the Chinese defence minister was quoted as saying by China's state-run Xinhua news agency.

Calling China a "trust-worthy strategic partner", the Bangladeshi military leaders said the two countries have developed high-level political mutual trust and conducted fruitful economic and trade cooperation, the report said.

The Bangladeshi side appreciates the long-term support and help offered by China, and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core national interests, it said.

The Bangladeshi military is willing to make joint efforts with China to strengthen exchange of visits at various levels and boost cooperation in the fields of personnel training, peacekeeping, military medical care and military equipment so as to further promote their military ties.

The Chinese minister arrived in Dhaka on May 28 for a visit.