Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao spoke at South Africa's prestigious University of Pretoria on Wednesday. He used this platform to lay out China's aim to begin new time of strategic partnership with Africa, involving the consolidation of long-standing and the widening of practical cooperation He made the remarks in a speech.

"China is the biggest developing country and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries," he said, adding that the calling of the times urged for a deepening of the China-Africa traditional friendship.

Hu listed four areas through which China and Africa could collaborate in accomplishing the afore-mentioned goals.

-- China shall take on a friendly attitude with Africa, maintaining close political dialogue and coordination whilst improving mutual understanding and trust, Hu said.

-- Both sides shall engage in a deepening of cooperation, namely a ramping up of mutually beneficial economic and technological exchanges.

-- The two civilizations shall strengthen dialogue and exchanges and strive for common progress through mutual learning and enrichment.

-- China and Africa shall treat each other as equals whilst strengthening bilateral efforts on the international arena so as to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

On Tuesday afternoon, Hu met with his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki enabling them to reach broad consensus on the future development of bilateral relations. They agreed on developing ties from a strategic perspective and enhance their strategic partnership based on equality, mutual benefit and common development.

During the talks, Hu made a five-point proposal aimed at building China-South Africa ties, providing a framework for boosting political mutual trust, deepening economic and trade cooperation, expanding the scope of bilateral partnerships, and boosting personnel contacts and intensifying multilateral cooperation. Following the meeting, a joint communiqué was issued laying out the above priorities.

The communiqué further stated that China-South Africa relations would evolve along the guidelines of the four principles agreed upon by the top leaders of the two countries.

These principles are: the broadening of mutual political trust and strategic consultation; the enhancement of economic cooperation and trade; the widening of coordination and cooperation through diplomatic consultations; and the strengthening of cultural and personnel interaction.

In the communiqué, South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China policy, recognizing the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China.

Hu arrived in South Africa after winding up visits to Cameroon, Liberia, Sudan, Zambia and Namibia. He will also visit Mozambique and Seychelles.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2007)