Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday congratulated the 10th anniversary of South Africa's Freedom Day and the reelection of Thabo Mbeki as the country's president.

"Under the leadership of former President (Nelson) Mandela and you, South Africa has obtained remarkable achievements in national reconciliation and economic development, and played an active role in regional and international affairs since the birth of new South Africa 10 years ago," Hu said in a letter to Mbeki.

"Your reassuming presidency fully reflects your people's recognition of the achievements the new South Africa has made over the past decade and the great trust they have placed in you," he said.

Meanwhile, Hu reiterated that the Chinese government and he himself attach great importance to China-South Africa relations and are ready to work with the South African government and Mbeki to further deepen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in all fields so as to push the bilateral relationship to a new high.

Hu expressed the hope that Mbeki and the new South African government enjoy greater success in leading the South African people in nation-building and advancing the grand cause of "African Renaissance".

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2004)