Choummaly Sayasone (R), General Secretary of the Lao People`s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos, meets with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in Vientiane, Laos, Sept. 7, 2012. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun)

>VIENTIANE, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone and Liang Guanglie, the Chinese defense minister and state councilor, agreed here Friday to promote the development of relations between their two countries.

Sayasone, also the general secretary of Laos` ruling Lao People`s Revolutionary Party, said during a meeting with Liang that China is his nation`s close, trusted friend and strategic partner.

Laos and China have seen remarkable achievements in their defense and security cooperation, the president said.

He also said Laos appreciates Beijing`s long-term support and assistance, adding that his country would like to advance bilateral military ties with China.

Liang said China and Laos have seen continuous development in political, economic, military and cultural exchanges and cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties 51 years ago.

China would like to work with Laos in boosting bilateral cooperation in the defense sector so as to promote the ties between the two countries and their armed forces to even higher levels, Liang said.

Liang also met Friday with Laotian Defense Minister Douangchay Phichit and the two discussed inter-military ties and international and regional security situations.

Liang arrived here Thursday on an official visit, the last leg of a three-nation Asia tour that also took him to Sri Lanka and India.