Chinese, South African Defense Ministers Hold TalksDefense Minister Chi Haotian and his visiting South African counterpart Patrick Lekota, the first South African defense minister to visit China since the forging of diplomatic ties between the two countries, held talks Monday.Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that the Chinese and South African people share deep friendship and that the Chinese had supported South African people 's struggle against apartheid. The establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1998 opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, and the ties entered a new phase following Chinese President Jiang Zemin's recent visit to South Africa, he added. Chi expressed his gratitude for South Africa's support on the Taiwan issue. China attaches importance to the role of South Africa in Africa and in international affairs, and hopes to develop a partnership with South Africa featuring long-term stability, friendship, mutual benefit and comprehensive cooperation, he added. Lekota said China is a reliable partner for South Africa, and he agreed that the recent visit by Jiang, which was a great success, has given impetus to the growth of bilateral ties. Chi's 1998 visit to South Africa laid the foundation for military relations between the two countries, he said, adding he hopes to learn from China's experience in army and defense building and further promote their military ties. |
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