Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), held talks with Jayasuriya, the visiting commander of the Sri Lanka Army, on the morning of June 7, 2012 in Beijing.

Ma Xiaotian said China and Sri Lanka have a time-honored history of traditional friendly relations. In recent years, the relations between the two militaries have been developing constantly, and the two sides have conducted good cooperation in such fields as reciprocal delegation visits, personnel training, military assistance and warship visits.

Ma Xiaotian added that the Chinese side is willing to work together with the Sri Lanka side to constantly strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the two militaries so as to promote the development of bilateral relations and their respective army building, and play an active role in jointly safeguarding regional security and stability.

Jayasuriya said the exchanges and cooperation between the two governments and the two militaries are fruitful. The Sri Lanka side is willing to continue to promote the friendly cooperation relations between the defense departments and the militaries of the two countries to extend to higher levels and wider fields.

Before the talks, Ma Xiaotian held a welcome ceremony for Jayasuriya.

- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn