French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie arrived in Beijing Sunday for a two-day official visit to China.

"I hope this visit can strengthen the friendship between France and China and further friendly cooperation between the two armed forces," Alliot-Marie said in talks with his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan on Sunday afternoon.

Cao, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and defense minister, said China will as always take the China-France relations from strategic and long-term perspective, and China is willing to work with France in pushing bilateral military relations to a new height.

Cao also briefed her on China's national defense policy and its military construction, saying China adheres to peaceful development and will not pose a threat to any other country.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of common concern.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2007)