BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China and South Africa Wednesday vowed to advance bilateral cooperation in all areas.
The pledge came out of meetings between senior Chinese leaders and visiting South African President Jacob Zuma. China's top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping met with Zuma separately on Wednesday in Beijing.
"The comprehensive strategic partnership the two countries have established embodies the two sides' mutual trust and broad common interests," Wen said.
"The Chinese government will work closely with the South African government to map out action plans in various areas, so as to implement the consensus reached by the state leaders and benefit the people."
He said China and South Africa, as two important developing countries, had made remarkable achievements. They should continue to unite with other developing countries, promote China-Africa relations, south-south cooperation and north-south dialogue, and contribute to world development.
Zuma said the establishment of the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership was another achievement in the development of bilateral relations.
South Africa would use bilateral mechanisms, strengthen communication and coordination with China, and further enhance cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, infrastructure construction and education.
The two countries should continue to support each other, coordinate closely, push international efforts to deal with global challenges such as climate change, maintain the fundamental interests of developing countries and promote regional and world peace, stability and sustainable development.
Zuma said South Africa's participation in the Shanghai World Expo would promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.
During his meeting with Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, Zuma discussed parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.
"More exchanges and experience sharing between the two parliaments will help the development of the China-South Africa relations," Zuma said.
Wu briefed the guests on China's NPC system, saying the NPC attached importance to the relationship with the South African National Assembly, and would strengthen exchanges in the fields of governance and building of legal system. The two countries should deepen cooperation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union and contribute to the development of bilateral relations.
Vice President Xi said China would further enhance cooperation with South Africa, as well as coordination in major international affairs and the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.
He said the China-South Africa bilateral committee was a high-level dialogue platform. China would work closely with South Africa to hold the fourth meeting, implementing the consensus reached by the two presidents, so as to promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.
On Wednesday evening, Zuma flew to Shanghai Municipality, the second leg of his first state visit to China.