The Chinese Government and people all along firmly supported the people of South Africa in their brave struggle against apartheid and have forged profound friendship with them.

Since diplomatic ties were established in 1998, China-South Africa relations have registered fast and all-round growth. There is strong mutual political trust and fruitful cooperation in all areas. Bilateral trade reached US$7.27 billion last year. South Africa has been China's largest trade partner in Africa for 11 consecutive years. Our cooperation in the fields of culture, science and technology, education, judicial affairs and public health is deepening and people-to-people exchanges are expanding. The two countries maintain close consultation and cooperation in international affairs and have worked together to uphold the rights and interests of developing countries and promote democracy in international relations.

      At the invitation of President Mbeki, Premier Wen Jiabao will soon pay an official visit to South Africa. This will be the first visit to South Africa by China's Premier since the establishment of diplomatic ties, which will surely boost China-South Africa cooperation in all areas and deepen the strategic partnership of equality, mutual benefit and common development between the two countries.