Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Pretoria on Tuesday for a state visit aimed at enhancing the strategic partnership between China and South Africa, following a two-day visit to Namibia.

    In Pretoria, he will hold talks with South African President Thabo Mbeki on expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

    In a written statement released at the airport, Hu said that the new South Africa, since its founding, has made remarkable achievements in national reconciliation and economic and social development.

    "As an advocate for African renaissance and a promoter of South-South cooperation and South-North dialogue, South Africa has made important contributions to peace and development in Africa and the whole world," he said.

    In nearly 10 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the China-South Africa strategic partnership, which is based on equality and mutual benefit for common development, has steadily grown in depth, according to the Chinese president.

    Hu flew into South Africa from the Namibian capital of Windhoek, where he held talks with his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba on bilateral relations, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and other major issues of common concern.