China, South Africa agree to enhance defense exchanges

Defense officials of China and South Africa concluded their second Defense Committee meeting Friday in Beijing, agreeing to enhance consultations and dialogue on defense and security issues.

According to a summary signed after hours of the meeting co- chaired by Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army and South African Secretary for Defense J. B. Masilela, the two also agreed to improve multi-level exchanges and cooperation between the defense departments and armies of the two countries.

Xiong and Masilela exchanged views on issues on international and regional security situation, anti-terrorism and United Nations reform.

China-South Africa Defense Committee was set up under the framework of a state-level bilateral committee officially initiated in 2001. The first meeting of the Defense Committee was held in 2003 in Pretoria, South Africa.

Source: Xinhua