BEIJING - China and the UK held the fifth defense strategic talks on Thursday, vowing deeper bilateral military ties.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Wang Guanzhong and British Vice Chief of Defense Staff Stuart Peach co-chaired the one-day talks.

"China and the UK have witnessed fast development of relations," Wang said, hailing that military to military ties have also deepened in recent years.

The arm forces of both sides have maintained high-level exchanges and mechanism communication, Wang said. "China's military is willing to work with the UK side to push forward pragmatic cooperation."

Peach vowed a joint effort with China to strengthen coordination on peacekeeping, military reform and evacuation of nationals.