Xu Caihou, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with Masire, the visiting Botswanian Defense Force commander, yesterday afternoon in Beijing.

　　Xu Caihou welcomed Masire to China. He said that since China and Botswana established diplomatic relations, the bilateral relations between the two countries have all along developed smoothly, especially in recent years the friendly cooperative relations between the two countries have made new progress. The Chinese side appreciates Botswana's long-term adherence to the one-China policy and cherishes the traditional friendship between the two countries, and is willing to work together with the Botswanian side to jointly push forward the relations between the two countries.

　　Speaking of the relations between the two militaries, Xu Caihou noted that the Chinese armed forces attaches great importance to developing relations with the Botswanian Defense Forces and is willing to increase exchanges of high-level visits, expand fields of exchanges and promote pragmatic cooperation with the Botswanian Defense Forces.

　　Xu Caihou also briefed his guests on China's economic development.

　　Masire said that China's rapid economic growth commands admiration. He said that the reciprocal visits by high-rank officers of the two militaries can help strengthen the friendly cooperation between the two militaries and he expressed the hope that the two militaries would further strengthen exchange and cooperation in personnel training and other fields.

　　Yang Zhiqi, assistant chief of general staff of the PLA, was present at the meeting.

　　By Lu Desheng

　　(Aug 30, PLA Daily)