SINGAPORE - Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said on Sunday that China is willing to promote constant development of military relations with Australia and make contribution to the regional security and stability.

When meeting with Stephen Smith, Australian defense minister, on the sideline of Shangri-la dialogue, Liang said China will make joint efforts with Australia to strengthen exchanges at high military level and deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two armies.

He said that since this year, leaders of China and Australia have reached important consensus on developing comprehensive cooperation of mutual benefit and win-win results, which promotes the development of China-Australia relations and also energizes the development of two armies' relations.

Smith said Australia and China are both important countries in Asia-pacific region and play important roles in safeguarding the regional peace and stability, adding that Australian government and military forces attach great importance to developing defense and military relations with China.

He hoped the two sides will enhance pragmatic cooperation in such fields as maritime safety, disaster relief, joint exercises and training so as to promote the development of bilateral defense and military relations.