A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on
Tuesday called for stepping up exchanges and cooperation between
China and South Africa to further their strategic partnership.
Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political
Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting
with Essop Pahad, minister in Presidency of South Africa.
Li said the two countries enjoy profound traditional friendship
and also share practical common interests. Bilateral relations have
developed smoothly since diplomatic ties were forged nearly ten
years ago. The two countries have established strategic partnership
and witnessed frequent exchanges of high-level visits, rising
political mutual trust and rapidly growing economic and trade
ties.
He said as the tenth anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic ties approaches, the two countries should step up
exchanges and cooperation in political, economic, cultural and
press sectors to further promote their strategic partnership.
Pahad said the government of South Africa is willing to
strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese Government
and further push forward exchanges and cooperation in the press
sector to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the
two peoples.
Pahad's China visit is at the invitation of the State Council's
Information Office.
(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2007)
