BEIJING, Jan. 24 (ChinaMil) -- Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe held talks here with his Australian counterpart Christopher Pyne on Thursday afternoon.

Wei said that both China and Australia are important countries in the Asia-Pacific region. To develop healthy, stable and sustainable China-Australia relations is not only in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. He hoped that the two countries will meet each other halfway and expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Wei said that in recent years, the armed forces of China and Australia have made solid progress in communication and cooperation in areas of high-level exchange of visits, consultation and dialogue, port calls by naval ships, joint training exercises and personnel training. Wei expected the two militaries, under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the leader of the two countries, to continuously deepen defense cooperation and make positive efforts for the development of China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Christopher Pyne said that Australia appreciates China's important role in international and regional affairs, and in recent years, the two countries have maintained good cooperative relations between their militaries.

Australia is ready to deepen mutual understanding, trust and respect with China and push forward the bilateral and military-to-military relations which is robust, friendly and full of energy, Christopher Pyne said.

Before their talks, Wei held a welcoming ceremony for Christopher Pyne and accompanied him to review the guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).