At the invitation of Lt. General Puri, Chief of Integrated Defense Staff, a Chinese military delegation headed by General Wu Quanxu, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, visited India from December 10 to 15. Indian Defense Minister Mr. George Fernandes met with the delegation in Delhi.

Mr. Fernandes expressed his warm welcome to the delegation. He spoke highly of the present India-China relations and expressed thanks for China's grand hospitality when reviewing his visit to China early this year. According to the Indian Defense Minister, India and China had established stable and friendly relations and frequent exchange of visits at all levels between the two sides had played an important role in the promotion of Indian-Sino relationship. In the field of economy and trade, bilateral trade volume has been further increased. Peace and tranquility in the boundary area between the two countries has created good atmosphere for the solution of the boundary issue.

General Wu thanked Mr. Fernandes for finding time to meet his delegation and conveyed cordial greetings and good wishes of General Cao Gangchuan, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission and Defense Minister. He said that leaders of the two countries, wise and foresighted, dedicated themselves to developing friendly and cooperative relations between China and India, and have laid a solid foundation for the realization of common development of the two nations. He pointed out that China and India were actively implementing the agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries and hoped that both countries should cherish the strategic opportunity and upgrade friendly and cooperative relations so as to contribute to prosperity of the two nations and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Hua Junduo was present at the meeting. During their visit to India, the delegation also met with General N C Vij, Chief of Army Staff, and Lt. General Puri, Chief of Integrated Defense Staff, and visited Indian Air Force Academy, United Services Institution and Center for UN Peace Keeping.