China eyes closer military ties with Seychelles

A senior Chinese military official said here Friday China was ready to develop closer military ties with Seychelles.

Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army, made the remarks when meeting with Seychelles President James Alix Michel.

Ma said China and Seychelles had conducted exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade and the economy, culture and health since they forged diplomatic ties in 1976.

Appreciating Seychelles' adherence to the one-China police, Ma said China was willing to make joint efforts with Seychelles to promote friendly cooperation between the two militaries.

Michel said the two countries had maintained friendly cooperation in politics, trade and the economy as well as cultural exchanges.

Calling Seychelles-China ties a model of a big and a small country treating each other equally, the president said Seychelles was ready to join with China to further their cooperation in various fields.

Ma, head of a visiting Chinese military delegation, also met Seychelles Home Affairs Minister Joel Morgan and Chief of Defense Forces Leopold Payet.