General Ma Xiaotian, member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and commander of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), met with Lieutenant General Christos Vaitsis, the visiting chief of general staff of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF), in Beijing on the afternoon of June 22, 2015.
Ma Xiaotian said that since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Greece in 1972, the relations between the two countries have been developing smoothly. In 2006, China and Greece established the comprehensive strategic partnership, and the two countries have further deepened the pragmatic cooperation in such fields as economics and trade, cultural exchange and tourism, Ma Xiaotian added.
The relations between the two militaries of China and Greece have been constantly developing in recent years, as evidenced by the frequent contacts among leaders of the defense departments and militaries of the two countries, the smooth operation of the dialogue and cooperation mechanism and the constant in-depth cooperation in various fields between two sides, Ma Xiaotian stressed.
The PLA Air Force and the HAF have currently carried out some fruitful exchanges and cooperation in the professional technical fields, Ma Xiaotian said. The air forces of the two countries should further enhance mutual understanding and broaden the fields of exchange and cooperation so as to push forward the friendly cooperation relations between the air forces of the two countries to a new high, Ma Xiaotian added.
Vaitsis thanked the Chinese side for the invitation and reception and said that the two militaries and the two air forces of China and Greece have established close relations. Both air forces have good willingness to strengthen and deepen the pragmatic cooperation, and the exchanges between the two sides in many fields have achieved fruitful results, Vaitsis stressed. The HAF hoped to continuously deepen its cooperation with the PLA Air Force, Vaitsis added.
Before the meeting, Ma Xiaotian held a welcome ceremony for Vaitsis, accompanied him to review the guard of honor and hosted an introduction on the PLA Air Force for Vaitsis and his party, who were invited by Ma Xiaotian to visit China from June 22 to 28, 2015.
