Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, met with South African President Thabo Mbeki to discuss ways of further developing bilateral ties in Johannesburg on November 21.

The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries has laid a solid foundation for further promoting bilateral ties, Li said.

He said both countries hope to build a just and rational international political and economic order and their cooperation will benefit the long- term mutual interests of the two countries.

Li briefed Mbeki on the Falun Gong cult and Chinese government's policy towards this issue, saying the cult has threatened the social stability in China.

The two leaders also talked about the Tibet issue. Li briefed Mbeki on the history of Tibet and the current situation there.

Mbeki said South Africa attaches great importance to developing relations with China. The relationship between South Africa and China, he said, has developed smoothly and there are no disputes between the two countries.

He said South Africa and China, both as developing countries, should join hands to safeguard the interests of developing countries.

The current international economic order benefits developed countries much more than developing countries, Mbeki said.

He congratulated China on its recent agreement with the United States on China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying China's participation would strengthen the role of developing countries in the organization.

South Africa is the second leg of Li's six-nation Afro-Asian tour which will also take him to Kenya, Israel, Palestine and Oman. He has already visited Mauritius. (Xinhua )