Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has stressed the importance of cooperation between China and South Africa and that between the two countries' ruling parties during his visit to South Africa.

The CPC and the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa have maintained a long-term cooperation and friendship, which helped lay a firm political foundation for bilateral relations of the two countries, Li said at a meeting with ANC Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe on Monday in Johannesburg.

He said the CPC and the ANC should promote mutual trust and further exchanges in terms of experience in better administering the country, which is conducive to fundamental interest of the two countries.

China is pleased with obvious achievements the ANC and its tripartite-alliance members have made in promoting national reconcile while developing economy in the past decade, said Li, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The ANC took power in post-apartheid South Africa 11 years ago. Labor federation COSATU and the South African Communist Party forma tripartite alliance with the ANC.

During his meeting with South African Minister in Presidency Essop Pahad on Sunday night in Pretoria, Li spoke highly of the key role that South Africa has been playing in maintaining peace and stability of Africa while promoting solidarity and cooperation of the continent.

He said China and South Africa share solid foundation of cooperation and enjoy huge potentials in developing economic ties.

He proposed the two countries to boost an all-round cooperation in order to push forward China-Africa cooperation, as well as South-South cooperation.

South Africa is the third stop of Li's four-nation tour to Africa. He had visited Sudan and Namibia, and has left South Africa for Tanzania late on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2005)