BEIJING - China is willing to further strengthen military cooperation with Israel to contribute to the development of country-to-country relations, State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said Monday.

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Liang made the remark in his talks with visiting Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

Liang said, "China values relations with Israel and is ready to expand and strengthen pragmatic exchange and cooperation between the two militaries, so as to make contributions to the further development of relations between the two countries and the two militaries."

Liang said the Chinese and Israeli people have deep traditional friendship, and the bilateral relationship has maintained a good momentum of development since the establishment of China-Israel diplomatic ties.

Liang hailed increased political mutual trust and the achievements the two sides have made in all areas through pragmatic cooperation in the past 19 years of diplomatic ties.

Barak echoed Liang's remark, saying that he hoped the two sides could expand common ground, strengthen friendship and learn more from each other through his visit.

He also pledged to lift pragmatic cooperation between the two nations' armies, and make joint efforts with the Chinese side for a better and deeper military relationship.