China, EU pledge to strengthen military ties

China and the European Union pledged to strengthen military relations on Monday. The pledge came during Defense Minister Liang Guanglie's meeting with Catherine Margaret Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. China and the EU have interacted well with each other in defense security, and enjoyed particularly good cooperation in escort operations in waters off Somali and the Gulf of Aden, which has become the new area for China-EU practical military cooperation, Liang said. The two sides share broad prospects in military collaboration, and with joint efforts, the friendly relationship of defense cooperation will be continuously promoted, Liang noted. Ashton said the EU is willing to continue working with China in escort operations and other areas of defense and security, and hopes to deepen friendly cooperation with China. The two sides also exchanged views on regional issues of concern to both.