Defense minister meets with Japanese military officers

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met with young Japanese military officers on Tuesday, and hoped both sides will continue to strengthen defense exchanges via non-governmental channels.

Meeting with a delegation of military officers with the Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Fund, Liang said China hopes the two neighbors will continuously enhance political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges in various fields, including defense exchanges, and promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, so to advance the bilateral strategic and mutually beneficial relations on a healthy and stable track.

Ogata Takeju, head of the delegation, said the Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Fund has been committed to strengthening Japan-China friendship.

The fund is ready to take advantage of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic ties and continue to make contributions to bilateral defense exchanges, he noted.