Bi-National Commission Important for China-South Africa Cooperation: Premier

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

Bi-National Commission Important for China-South Africa Cooperation: Premier

Premier Zhu Meets with S. African President

The China-South Africa Bi-National Commission will play a positive role in promoting the stable development of bilateral relations and expanding friendly cooperation between the two countries, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Tuesday in Beijing.

The commission was launched here by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and South African President Thabo Mbeki Monday. At a meeting with Mbeki, Zhu said economic, trade and technological cooperation between China and South Africa has been developing smoothly, and will have even brighter prospects.

Since the two economies are compatible with each other and bothhave already invested a great deal in the other's market, bilateral cooperation is conducive to economic development of the two countries, Zhu said.

He said that China has enjoyed rapid economic growth and South Africa also has its own advantages, bringing opportunities for further cooperation between them. The Chinese government encourages more Chinese businesses to invest in and trade with South Africa, and welcomes more South African businesses to China, he said.

Zhu briefed Mbeki on China's financial policy for ensuring sustained and rapid economic growth, and expressed confidence thatChina would maintain a relatively higher growth rate next year.

Mbeki said his visit is a significant one and he has had constructive talks with Chinese leaders. Compared to his 1998 visit to China, great changes have taken place in China, he said.

Mbeki said he was impressed by the growth momentum of the Chinese economy against the backdrop of a global economic downturn.

He expressed satisfaction with the current all-round cooperation between South Africa and China, and said his country is willing to expand cooperation in all fields with China.

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