When reviewing the development of the Sino-South African relations, Zhu said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two in January of 1998, the bilateral relationship has developed very rapidly and comprehensively.

Zhu gave the frequent exchanges of leaders' visits, steady expansion of bilateral trade and enhanced exchanges in various fields including energy, science, culture and education as supporting examples.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Mbeki have exchanged visits in the past two years, during which the two leaders signed the Pretoria Declaration on the Partnership between China and South Africa and launched a bi-national commission between the two countries, according to the Chinese premier.

He said trade volume between the two countries amounted to US$2.22 billion last year.

In the first half of this year, Zhu said, bilateral trade rose by 10 percent over the same period of last year, reaching US$1.14 billion.

He appreciated the efforts by Mbeki to further the bilateral relations, saying that he thanked the South African government for its adherence to the one-China policy.

Both being important developing countries in Asia and Africa, China and South Africa, with mutual understanding and mutual trust, take concerted actions on international and regional issues, said Zhu, who is currently on a working visit to the African country.

"China is ready to join hands with South Africa to promote the continuous development of our partnership in the new century, featuring long-term stability, sincerity and friendship, mutual benefit and reciprocity, and comprehensive cooperation," he noted. 　　

Zhu, who also led a Chinese delegation to participate in the just-ended World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, congratulated South Africa on its successful hosting of the summit, which adopted a comprehensive plan of action after 10 days of hard negotiations.

The plan, dubbed Plan of Implementation, will serve as a platform to tackle the world's worsening poverty and environmental degradation.

The Chinese premier said South Africa in recent days also successfully hosted the first summit of the African Union (AU), congratulating Mbeki on his accession to the AU's first chairman.

China, as always, backs the efforts by African countries to pursue regional integration and self-reliance, he said.

"We are ready to work hard with the AU and the vast African countries to make contribution to the establishment of a new partnership of long-term stability and mutual benefit," Zhu said.

On the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) advocated by Mbeki and other African leaders, Zhu believed it is a magnificent blueprint for Africa's renaissance.

"We have noticed the recent AU summit adopted a resolution, which set NEPAD as a major economic and social development plan of the AU and will be implemented under the framework of the pan-African body," Zhu said.

"We wish the plan a success," he said.

For his part, Mbeki thanked Zhu and his delegation for the attendance of the WSSD, saying that China's participation is a greater contribution to the success of the summit.

He said South Africa and China have enjoyed closer relations in various fields, adding that the establishment of the bi-national commission will help the two countries achieve effective coordination and cooperation.

South Africa attaches great importance to the relations with China and will advance the comprehensive partnership of cooperation to a new level, said Mbeki.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2002)