Chinese Defense Minister Meets South African GuestChina and South Africa are faced with broad prospects for cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and military fields in the 21st century, Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian told South African guests Wednesday in Beijing.Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, told Siphiwe Nyanda, chief of South African National Defense Forces, that he expects that the exchanges of visits of the military forces will help to advance bilateral ties. He expressed China's gratitude to South Africa for its support on the Taiwan issue and Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympics. Since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1998, the bilateral cooperation in various fields has entered a new era, Chi said. Nyanda said that the hospitality he has enjoyed in China during his stay shows the goodwill of the Chinese people towards South African people. Both of the two countries share similar views on international affairs, and South Africa is also adopting similar approaches to China in the handling of international affairs, he said, adding that he expects further mutual understanding and growing friendship between the two countries and military forces. |
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