China, Australia pledge closer military ties

 BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and Australia pledged on Thursday to strengthen their militaries ties during a meeting between the two countries' senior military officials.

The pledge was made when Xu Qiliang, vice¹ chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met with an Australian delegation² headed by David Hurley, chief of the Defense³ Force of Australia.

The delegation is here to attend the 15th China-Australia defense strategic consultation⁴.

Xu hailed the sound development of the two countries' military relations and praised the frequent visits between the two military leaders and the progress of pragmatic cooperation in professional fields.

He said China is willing to work with Australia to make greater contribution to regional peace and development.

Xu also briefed Hurley on the recently concluded 18th CPC National Congress, saying that China will continue to pursue a national defense policy which is defensive⁵ in nature and commit itself to world peace and development.

Hurley commended the positive results of the consultation and said the two sides exchanged views on world and regional security issues of common concern and reached important agreements.

He said he hopes the two militaries will continue to communicate and promote their relations to a higher level.

1 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

2 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 consultation   

n.咨询；商量；商议；会议

参考例句：

• The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.该公司允诺就其扩展计划广泛征求意见。
• The scheme was developed in close consultation with the local community.该计划是在同当地社区密切磋商中逐渐形成的。

5 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。