Chinese military leader visits Colombia

Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong arrived here Monday to start an official goodwill visit at the invitation of Colombia's defense ministry. In a written statement issued at the airport upon his arrival, Guo said both China and Colombia are developing countries sharing comprehensive common interests and facing the common tasks of peace and development. He said bilateral relations between China and Colombia have developed smoothly in recent years, and the two countries are making joint efforts to develop a mutually beneficial and win-win strategic partnership in the 21st century. Guo said that China attaches great importance to developing a relationship of friendly cooperation with Colombia. The aim of his visit, he said, is to enhance mutual understanding, expand consensus, develop friendship and promote cooperation to help the relations between the two nations and the two armies develop. During his stay in Colombia, Guo will meet with Colombian state and military leaders to exchange views on issues of common concern. He will also visit Colombian military facilities. Colombia is the second leg of Guo's three-nation tour. He has already visited Cuba, and his next stop is Peru.