Fan Changlong (R), vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, meets with Minister of State for Defense of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed Al-Bowardi in Beijing, capital of China, May 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Liu Fang)

Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, and Chang Wanquan, Chinese defense minister and state councilor, Wednesday met separately with Mohammed Al-Bowardi, Minister of State for Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Fan Changlong said the UAE is a strategic partner of China in the Gulf area. He hailed the smooth development of bilateral military relations and expressed his wish to further advance the relations.

Bowardi said the UAE is willing to enhance cooperation and communication with China to further expand the depth and width of bilateral military cooperation.

Noting the good momentum of development in military relations, Chang Wanquan said China is willing to work with the UAE to deepen exchange and cooperation in various fields.