BEIJING -- Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun met with Rudzani Maphwanya, chief of the South African National Defense Force, in Beijing on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Dong praised the enduring friendship between the two countries and the special bilateral ties that have deepened amid global changes.

Dong emphasized China's readiness to work with South Africa in practicing true multilateralism, opposing hegemony and bullying, standing against power politics, and rejecting division and confrontation. He also called for greater efforts to expand bilateral military cooperation.

Maphwanya expressed appreciation for the Chinese military's long-standing support for the SANDF. He pledged to work with the Chinese side to advance practical cooperation in areas such as joint exercises and training, military education, personnel development, and maritime security.