Colombo, Sep 1 (IANS): Sri Lanka and China have sought to strengthen their military ties, said the Sri Lankan defence ministry Friday.

The statement was followed by a meeting between visiting Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie and Secretary to the Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Xinhua reported.

During the meeting, Liang expressed the hope that the two sides would continue to work hard to maintain the close and friendly relations and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of non- traditional security.

He also hoped that the two sides will improve the ability to respond to crisis together, so as to contribute to regional peace, stability and development.

The Sri Lankan defence secretary Rajapaksa, on the other side, said Sri Lanka greatly appreciated the valued assistance and cooperation extended by China in times of need.

Liang arrived in Colombo Wednesday on a goodwill visit at the invitation of the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry. It is also the first visit by a Chinese defence minister to the island country.

Liang has also held discussions with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has thanked Chinese government and the people of China for standing by Sri Lanka at a time when it was facing various challenges internationally and for extending cooperation in the fields of economy and culture.