国内英语新闻:China, South Africa to cement cooperation, party-to-party exchanges

CAPE TOWN, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao said Tuesday that China is ready to deepen cooperation and party-to-party exchanges with South Africa.

China and South Africa, both of which are major emerging and developing countries as well as members of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, are seeing their bilateral ties gain increasing global influence and strategic importance, Li said during a meeting with Gwede Mantashe, secretary general of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC).

Li said that leaders of the two countries frequently exchange opinions regarding development of bilateral ties as well as major issues of mutual concern.

He said China stands ready to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries and the outcome of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit held last December in Johannesburg, South Africa.

China will continue to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen economic and trade cooperation as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership with South Africa, said the Chinese vice president.

He added that the Communist Party of China (CPC) is willing to deepen the party-to-party exchanges and cooperation with the ANC and bring relations between the two parties to a new level.

Mantashe, for his part, said that South Africa is grateful for China's long-term support and help in the country's economic and social development, and is willing to deepen its friendly cooperative relations with China in various fields.

During his meeting with Li, Mantashe said the ANC values its friendly relations with the CPC, and has gained immensely from exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese ruling party.

He added that the ANC is willing to further learn from China's Party-building experience and deepen exchanges with the CPC over state governance.