Chinese, South African presidents stress partnership
6/11/2006 16:23
Chinese President Hu Jintao and South African President Thabo Mbeki agreed
in Beijing on Monday the two countries would work together to promote
development of a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership and enhance
coordination and collaboration in international affairs.
Bilateral relations
have maintained all-round and rapid development since China and South Africa
established diplomatic ties nine years ago, Hu said during talks with Mbeki
Monday morning at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.
"The two
sides have established strategic partnership and our cooperation has been
fruitful in politics, trade and economy, science and technology, culture,
education, tourism and human resources," he said, adding that the two countries
have also collaborated closely in major regional and international
issues.
The two presidents reached extensive consensus on enhancing their
countries' long-term and stable strategic partnership on the basis of equality,
mutual benefits and common development.
"It serves the fundamental interest
of the two countries and peoples. It is conducive to world peace and
development, too," he said.
Hu made four proposals to that
effect.
"Firstly, we should enhance political trust and strategic
consultation; maintain the momentum of high-level contacts; fully exploit the
roles of bilateral exchange mechanism and promote all- round reciprocal
cooperation," he said.
Secondly, Hu proposed the two countries to take their
respective advantages and bring trade and economic cooperation to a new level.
"We should encourage and support two-way investment, optimize trade structure
and ensure the sound and smooth development of bilateral trade," he
said.
Thirdly, China and Africa need to carry out diplomatic consultation and
enhance coordination and collaboration.
"The Chinese side supports South
Africa's efforts in promoting unity and cooperation among the developing
countries," Hu said. " We are willing to enhance communication and exchanges
with South Africa, intensify coordination and collaboration on the UN affairs
and work together to maintain the legitimate rights and interest of the
developing countries."
Fourthly, Hu proposed the two countries increase
humanistic exchanges so as to cement the social foundation for the development
of China-Africa ties. "We hope the two sides expand exchanges and cooperation in
diverse sectors including education, human resources, health, culture, sports,
academics, media and tourism."
The Chinese president also voiced appreciation
for South Africa 's adherence to the one-China policy and active support to
China's reunification.
Mbeki, who arrived Friday for a state visit at Hu's
invitation, was among 41 African heads of state or government and senior
officials from 48 African countries that have established diplomatic ties with
China at the landmark Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa
Cooperation.
The forum, the highest-profile gathering between Chinese and
African leaders, concluded Sunday after a declaration and an action plan for
2007-2009 had been adopted.
South Africa established diplomatic relations
with China on January 1, 1998. The two countries established a strategic
partnership focusing on equality, mutual benefit and common development in
2004.
Xinhua News
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