South Africa hopes to strengthen defense exchanges

South Africa hoped to boost cooperation and exchanges with China, especially in the field of defense affairs, South African Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Wednesday.

This will help both countries to enhance their defense capacities and abilities to cope with challenges, the minister said when meeting with a Chinese military delegation led by Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army.

Ma said China-South Africa relations have developed smoothly since the two countries established diplomatic ties 14 year ago and bilateral cooperation of mutual benefits has made substantial progress.

He said that his visit to South Africa is tasked to implement the consensus reached between leaders of the two countries and further boost ties between the two militaries.

Ma arrived here on Sunday for a four-day visit and attended the fifth meeting of China-South Africa Defense Committee on Tuesday.

During the meeting co-hosted by Ma and Solly Shoke, chief of the South African National Defense Force, the two sides exchanged views on such issues as international and regional security situations as well as cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.