Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie Wednesday hailed the just concluded third China-New Zealand strategic consultation between their armed forces. The talks were conducive to deepening mutual trust and promoting cooperation between the two armed forces, Liang said in a meeting with Vice Chief of the New Zealand Defense Force Jack Steer. The talks, which took place Tuesday, were co-chaired by Steer and Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The two armed forces enjoyed sound cooperation in peacekeeping, personnel training and academic exchanges, and China stood ready to work with New Zealand to further military ties, he said. Liang, also a State Councilor, said China was willing to continue strategic and policy dialogue with New Zealand in an open and candid manner. Steer acknowledged the role of the talks in advancing bilateral military ties, saying the relations had broad prospects for development. The first consultation was held in China three years ago, and the second was held in New Zealand last year. China and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement in April 2008. Bilateral trade volume reached almost 10 billion NZ dollars (6.9 billion U.S. dollars) in 2009. 