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NEW DELHI (PTI): China will be the biggest exhibitor at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2010 expo in South Africa later this month, reflecting the growing military might of the Asian giant.

The move to be the biggest displayer at the expo is seen as China's attempts to expand military ties with the African countries in lieu of getting access to their minerals and oil reserves.

China will cover more than 1,200 square metre in the expo displaying a large number of its military hardware, Defence Ministry sources told PTI here.

They said the Chinese are also offering soft loans to the African nations for buying its military hardware.

"It is being seen as an effort to expand its ties with the countries in the African region," they said, adding China has been investing heavily in expanding ties with the African nations for getting access to their natural resources such as minerals and oil.

Other countries that will take part in the largest defence exhibition of its kind in Africa include the US, France and the UK.

Indian companies such as BrahMos Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Goa Shipyard Limited are also participating in the show.

Global defence manufacturers such as Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Thales and EADS are also going to take part in the four-day event.