Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of the People's Republic of China is going to pay official visits to seven African countries -- Egypt, Ghana, Congo, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda -- from June 17 to 24. Premier Wen's visit to South Africa from June 21 to 22, the first ever official visit to South Africa by a Chinese Premier, is of great importance and significance and will surely push the strategic partnership between the two countries to a higher level.

China and South Africa are both big developing countries of major influence. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties on January 1, 1998, bilateral relations have witnessed an all-round and rapid development. Mutual trust has been steadily enhanced along with frequent exchanges of high-level visits. In 2000, the two countries signed the Pretoria Declaration on partnership relations, followed by the establishment of the Bi-National Commission (BNC), under which five sectoral committees, respectively on diplomatic affairs, trade, education, science and technology, and defense, have been set up. In 2004, China and South Africa further defined their relations as "strategic partnership of equality, mutual benefit and common development".

China-South Africa trade and economic cooperation have grown rapidly. With around 20% share in the China-Africa trade, South Africa is China's largest trading partner in Africa. For South Africa, China is its fifth largest trading partner with almost even trade balance. Bilateral trade volume of US$ 7.27 billion was recorded in 2005, a fourfold increase over that in 2000. In 2004, South Africa officially recognized China's market economy status, and announced on behalf of the South African Customs Union (SACU) the decision to commence Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with China. Two-way investment between China and South Africa has also kept good momentum. Accumulated investment from China in South Africa reached US$ 250 million at the end of year 2005, while South Africa's paid-in investment in China reached a US$ 350 million high level.

Cooperation in culture, science and technology, education, tourism and other field have also made rapid progress. A grand cultural event entitled "Bravo China --- Chinese Cultural Tour to Africa" staged in South Africa successfully in 2004. A series of culture activities named "Experiencing China" will take place in South Africa later this year. The Confucious College (Chinese Language Center) was established at Stellenbosch University. There are currently 3000 Chinese students studying in South Africa. Since South Africa was granted Approved Destination Status for out-bound Chinese tourist groups in 2001, more and more Chinese sightseers have traveled to South Africa.

Cooperation on regional and international issues has been intensified. South Africa supports China on issues of its major concerns. China supports South Africa in playing an even greater role in African affairs and works closely with South Africa to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. China-South Africa friendly cooperation constitutes a very important part of China-Africa and South-South cooperation.

Against the backdrop of the above-mentioned, it can be reasonably expected that the strategic partnership between China and South Africa will deepen further and enjoy even broader prospects.