Vice President Hu Jintao met with a delegation from the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa in Beijing on November 18 and stressed relations between the Communist Party of China (NPC) and the ANC.

Hu, who is also a standing committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, extended a warm welcome to the delegation headed by Alfred Nzo, member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and its former general secretary. Hu recalled his visit of South Africa earlier this year, and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality he received there, saying that there is profound friendship between the two parties and the two peoples, and bilateral ties have progressed smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1998.

Hu said high-level contacts have been frequent and cooperation in various fields have been expanding, and he particularly touched upon President Nelson Mandela's visit to China in May, during which the leaders of the two states held productive talks. Right now, Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), is visiting South Africa, Hu said, noting that all these exchanges have greatly stimulated ties.

The CPC highly emphasizes its cooperation with the ANC, Hu said, noting that as ruling parties, they both shoulder the heavy tasks of developing their economies, improving their people's living standards, and building their countries.

Further consolidating relations between the two parties will not only benefit them and their countries, but also push forward overall bilateral ties.

Nzo said China plays a key role in the world, and has always been a sincere friend of South Africa. South Africa won support from China during the long-term struggle against racial apartheid, and its development today also requires China's cooperation.

South Africa and the ANC both treasure their friendship with China and the CPC, he said, expressing the hope that this cooperation will be reinforced.