BEIJING - China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) agreed Thursday to further strengthen military ties.

China and the ROK relations have experienced sound development, and the bilateral ties had recently expanded in a favorable way, said Chen Bingde, Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army.

Chen made the remarks in a meeting here with National Defense Minister Kim Kuan Jin of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

"Continuous consolidation and development of the Sino-ROK relationship and bilateral military ties, should benefit both nations and be conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity," said Chen.

China highly valued the bilateral military relationship and was willing to work with ROK to enhance the exchanges and cooperation and to push forward the Sino-ROK strategic partnership, Chen added.

Chen also briefed the guest about the US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mike Mullen's visit to China, and reiterated China's principled stand on Taiwan, the South China Sea and Korean Peninsula situation.

Kim highlighted the sound development of ROK-China relations in the past 19 years, noting that the ROK attaches great importance to the military ties between the two nations.

He added that the ROK was ready to strengthen the military exchanges with China in all fields in a bid to contribute to regional peace and stability.