China, Togo pledge to enhance co-op between militaries

China and Togo on Friday agreed to work together to upgrade the relations between the two militaries.

"We value the ties with the Togolese armed forces," said Chen Bingde (photo), chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, during the talks with his counterpart from Togo Essofa Ayeva. Hailing the China-Togo traditional friendship, Chen said the two nations had enjoyed fruitful cooperation in various sectors in recent years.

China appreciated Togo's firm support to the country on issues concerning its core interests, he said.

The Chinese and Togolese armed forces in recent years also had enjoyed stable growth of bilateral ties, Chen said, hoping that the two militaries would make joint efforts to advance the traditional friendship.

Ayeva spoke highly of China's remarkable achievements in its social and economic progress, saying that the Togolese armed forces was ready to expand cooperation with China to promote relations between the two nations and the two militaries.

Ayeva arrived in China on Tuesday for a six-day official and goodwill visit at the invitation of Chen.