BEIJING, Feb 22: Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangehuan called on President General Pervez Musharraf here on Wednesday and discussed relations between the two countries in the field of defence.

The two leaders agreed to bolster their defence relations which cover the defence industry and joint defence production and development. They also agreed to boost collaborative efforts in the areas of defence training and joint exercises.

On Tuesday Pakistan and China signed a framework agreement to strengthen their defence relations and cooperation following talks between President Musharraf and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.

President Musharraf and Mr Cao noted the shared perceptions between their countries on a range of regional and international issues and agreed that their close relations were vital for peace and stability in the region.

President Musharraf left Beijing later and embarked on the second leg of his state visit which will take him to the south-west province of Sichuan.

The president will inspect the multi-purpose JF-17 fighter jet, jointly manufactured by China and Pakistan, in the Sichuan capital Chengdu when he visits the China Aircraft Design Institute and China Aircraft Manufacturing Company (CAMC) on Thursday.

He will visit both the factory and assembly line of JF-17 Thunder aircraft.

The JF-17 is a Mach 1.6-Mach 2 aircraft with advanced avionics and excellent handling capabilities.

China and Pakistan tested the first prototype of the JF-17 in August 2003 while another test flight was made in Chengdu in September the same year.

With its advanced design and state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, the JF-17 has the combat capability of a third-generation fighter plane and is on a par with the world’s most advanced light fighter jets.

President Musharraf is likely to visit a base of giant pandas in Chengdu.

He is scheduled also to meet business leaders of the province.