Li Peng Meets South African President

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, December 12, 2001

Li Peng Meets South African President

Chinese top legislator Li Peng met Tuesday with the President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki. Li recalled his visit to South Africa in November 1999 and said that he is glad that the South African government and people have made heartening achievements in protecting national stability and developing the national economy under the leadership of President Mbeki.

Li Peng Meets South African President

Mbeki's Visit Significant

Li, also chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) said that Mbeki's visit to China is a significant event in bilateral relations, and the joint launching of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Mbeki creates new energy for further development of bilateral friendly cooperative relationship.

More Cooperation

He expressed the belief that in the new century the Sino-South African relationship and friendly cooperation would make constant progress with concerted efforts by both sides.

Li also briefed Mbeki on China's national situation and the construction of democracy and the legal system in the country.

Mbeki said that South Africa and China have had both governmental and non-governmental exchanges in increasingly broader areas. He expressed the hope that the South African National Assembly and the Chinese NPC would continue to enhance relations and cooperation.

Sino-South African Relations

China and South Africa formally established diplomatic relations on January 1, 1998. Since then, bilateral relations have witnessed a rapid, healthy and smooth development. There has been frequent high-level exchange of visits. Co-operation in various fields has undergone an all-round expansion.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin and South African President Thabo Mbeki signed Pretoria Declaration on the Partnership Between China and South Africa on April 25, 2000, setting up a high-level Bi-National Commission.

South African President Nelson Mandela presented Chinese President Jiang Zemin a first class Golden Cape Medal, the highest honorary medal conferred to a foreign leader by the RSA on May 20, 1999 during his state visit to China.

On December 30, 1997, Mr. Qian Qichen, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister of China and Mr. Alfred Nzo, Foreign Minister of South Africa signed the Joint Communiqu��, establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

China-South Africa Bilateral Commission Launched

Chinese Vice President Meets S. African President

China-South Africa Bilateral Commission Launched