NEW DELHI: China’s newly appointed Defence Attache to India, Rear Admiral You Jian, has thanked the Indian military for rescuing 12 Chinese crew members from a cargo ship that caught fire last year, saying Beijing “will not forget” the operation.“We will not forget that, last June, the Indian Military rescued 12 Chinese crew members from a cargo ship that caught fire and exploded off the coast of Kerala,” You said while speaking at a reception marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard had jointly carried out the rescue operation to save the lives of the Chinese crew.A senior Chinese military officer lauding the effort of the Indian military is aimed at improving the relations between the two countries. New Delhi and Beijing have engaged in multiple constructive and forward-looking discussions towards gradual normalisation after the 2020 LAC faceoff.The Chinese defence attache also called for closer communication and cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries. He also highlighted the role played by the armed forces of both countries in United Nations peacekeeping operations. “We need to remember that both the Chinese and Indian armed forces have made outstanding contributions and great sacrifices in UN peacekeeping operations. We have always believed that the common interests between our two countries far outweigh our differences,” You said.On deepening military engagement, he said, “We are willing to work with the Indian side to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels, enhance mutual trust and promote cooperation through dialogue, and contribute to the well-being of the peoples of China and India.”