BEIJING, July 1 -- China and Thailand pledged to increase exchanges between the two militaries in a meeting of Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday.

    Liang, also a state councilor, said the two armed forces had maintained frequent high-level exchanges, and the defense and security consultation mechanism had been improved in recent years.

    He said China would work with Thailand to improve military cooperation.

    Samak, also Thai defense minister, said the two forces had kept close contact, and Thailand was ready to push forward relations with China.

    Samak arrived on Monday after for a four-day visit to China, his first since he was appointed prime minister in January.