CMC leader meets with Italian guests

Li Jinai, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People's Republic of China and director of the General Political Department (GPD) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), met with Giuseppe Bernardis, the visiting chief of staff of the Italian Air Force, and his party on the morning of May 15, 2012 in Beijing.

Li Jinai expressed that China-Italia relations have been constantly developing forward since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries over 40 years ago.

At present, the high-ranking officials of the two countries have frequent contacts with each other, the political mutual trust is constantly enhancing, the trade and economic relations are developing rapidly and the exchanges and cooperation in all fields are fruitful.

There is no conflict of fundamental interest between China and Italia, and the Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with the Italian side to constantly push forward the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries to a new high on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Li Jinai also pointed out that in recent years, the high-ranking officers of the two militaries have been maintaining contacts with each other, the dialogues of mechanism have been well operated, the exchanges in professional fields have been carried out smoothly and the cooperation in personnel training has advanced steadily.

The Chinese military takes a positive attitude towards the development of its relations with the Italian military. It is believed that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two militaries are bound to make constant progress with the efforts of both sides.

Bernardis said that the Italian side attaches importance to its relations with China, and is delighted to see that China has played a more important part and an increasingly important role in international affairs. The contacts between the two militaries have been increasingly active in recent years. The Italian military hopes to strengthen its cooperation with the Chinese military and further deepen the friendship between the two militaries and promote the relations between the two countries.