China, EU vow to bolster defence, security cooperation

China has pledged to strengthen defence and security cooperation with the European Union. Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie's said during a meeting with EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton, that his country has established bilateral military relations with all EU member countries and China-EU defense and security relations have witnessed rapid growth. China is positive about promoting defense and security cooperation with the EU and believes that the two sides will make continuous progress in their cooperation under joint efforts, China's news agency (Xinhua) quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, Ashton said that strengthening the two sides' defense and security cooperation will play an important role in developing overall EU-China relations, as well as safeguarding world peace and stability. Both sides exchanged views as well on international and regional security issues.