China and South Africa will hold the second meeting of the China-South Africa Defense Committee in Beijing on Friday, according to sources with the Chinese Defense Ministry Thursday.  

The defense committee meeting, an important move for China and South Africa to strengthen cooperation in defense and security fields, will further promote friendly cooperation between the two countries and two armed forces, said Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan.

Cao, also vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a meeting with South African Secretary for Defense J. B. Masilela, who was here to attend the defense committee meeting.

South Africa attaches importance to the strategic partnership with China, Masilela said, noting that the upcoming defense committee meeting is important and significant for further development of relations between the two countries and two armies.

The first meeting of the China-South Africa Defense Committee was held in April 2003 in South Africa.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2005)