President Hu Jintao and South African President Thabo Mbeki
agreed in Beijing on Monday the two countries would work together
to promote development of a new type of China-Africa strategic
partnership and enhance coordination and collaboration in
international affairs.
Bilateral relations have maintained all-round and rapid
development since China and South Africa established diplomatic
ties nine years ago, Hu said during talks with Mbeki Monday morning
at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.
"The two sides have established strategic partnership and our
cooperation has been fruitful in politics, trade and economy,
science and technology, culture, education, tourism and human
resources," he said, adding that the two countries have also
collaborated closely in major regional and international
issues.
The two presidents reached extensive consensus on enhancing
their countries' long-term and stable strategic partnership on the
basis of equality, mutual benefits and common development.
"It serves the fundamental interest of the two countries and
peoples. It is conducive to world peace and development, too," he
said.
Hu made four proposals to that effect.
"Firstly, we should enhance political trust and strategic
consultation; maintain the momentum of high-level contacts; fully
exploit the roles of bilateral exchange mechanism and promote all-
round reciprocal cooperation," he said.
Secondly, Hu proposed the two countries to take their respective
advantages and bring trade and economic cooperation to a new level.
"We should encourage and support two-way investment, optimize trade
structure and ensure the sound and smooth development of bilateral
trade," he said.
Thirdly, China and Africa need to carry out diplomatic
consultation and enhance coordination and collaboration.
"The Chinese side supports South Africa's efforts in promoting
unity and cooperation among the developing countries," Hu said. "We
are willing to enhance communication and exchanges with South
Africa, intensify coordination and collaboration on the UN affairs
and work together to maintain the legitimate rights and interest of
the developing countries."
Fourthly, Hu proposed the two countries increase humanistic
exchanges so as to cement the social foundation for the development
of China-Africa ties. "We hope the two sides expand exchanges and
cooperation in diverse sectors including education, human
resources, health, culture, sports, academics, media and
tourism."
The Chinese president also voiced appreciation for South
Africa's adherence to the one-China policy and active support to
China's reunification.
Mbeki, who arrived Friday for a state visit at Hu's invitation,
was among 41 African heads of state or government and senior
officials from 48 African countries that have established
diplomatic ties with China at the landmark Beijing Summit of the
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
The forum, the highest-profile gathering between Chinese and
African leaders, concluded Sunday after a declaration and an action
plan for 2007-2009 had been adopted.
South Africa established diplomatic relations with China on
January 1, 1998. The two countries established a strategic
partnership focusing on equality, mutual benefit and common
development in 2004.
(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2006)
