Strategic dialogue between Chinese and NZ militaries held

Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Tim Keating, vice chief of the New Zealand Defense Force, and Peter Kelly, deputy secretary-general of the New Zealand Ministry of Defense, co-chaired the 5th strategic dialogue between the Chinese military and the New Zealand military on the afternoon of December 18, 2012 in Beijing. During the dialogue, the two sides had an extensive and in-depth exchange of views on such issues as international and regional security as well as the relations between the two countries and the two militaries. The dialogue made positive achievements.

Qi Jianguo said that the bilateral relations have been developing smoothly and the relations between the two militaries have also maintained a good momentum of development since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries 40 years ago, as evidenced by frequent contacts among high-ranking officers of the two militaries, active personnel exchange and pragmatic cooperation in many professional fields including operation, training, education, logistics and humanitarian assistance and disaster reduction. The Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with the New Zealand side to further deepen the pragmatic exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two militaries, so as to make contributions to maintaining international and regional security and stability.

Keating and Kelly said that the New Zealand side will remain committed to developing stronger defense relations with the Chinese side and deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields on the basis of mutual benefit and mutual trust. The New Zealand side spoke positively of the strategic dialogue between the two militaries and held that the dialogue would help the two militaries strengthen cooperation and jointly face various challenges.