In a meeting with South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on Tuesday, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said that the new people-to-people exchange mechanism will deepen the China-South Africa relations.
Acknowledging the guidance from Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma and the cooperative efforts of the two countries, Liu said that the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership has sustained a good momentum.
Deep mutual political trust has been enjoyed by both parties. The countries supported each other on concerns in individual core interests and other major issues, she added.
A steady progress and outstanding results have been achieved by China and South Africa’s pragmatic cooperation in different fields, Liu said.
The vice premier said that the launch of the High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM) is very timely as it will strengthen the foundation of China-South Africa relationship by expanding its support from the people and in the society.
Liu is positive that the PPEM will help the voice of African and developing countries to be heard by the rest of the world. The mechanism will also continue to advance the China-South Africa relations and China-Africa relations.
On the other hand, Nkoana-Mashabane said that the vice premier’s visit signifies high-level bilateral relations between the two countries.
The strong China-South Africa relations have a major exemplary part in boosting Africa-China cooperation and in fortifying the solidarity and cooperation between developing countries, she said.
The South African foreign minister praised the successful launch of the PPEM, adding that the new mechanism will give a major platform where the two peoples can become more involved in friendly China-South Africa cooperation.
South Africa is ready for joint efforts with China in realizing the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The country will keep on pushing forward bilateral relations, Nkoana-Mashabane said.
The launch of the PPEM is seen to bring a new vitality in the China-South Africa relations.