Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with South African Vice President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka during their meeting in Cape Town of South Africa on June 22, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    CAPE TOWN, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday hailed its partnership with South Africa, saying: "South Africa is China's key partner of strategic cooperation in Africa."

    The Chinese premier made the statement while addressing more than 800 business people from China and South Africa at a forum held in Cape Town.

    Wen Jiabao encouraged Chinese companies to increase import from South Africa and work to further boost the growth of bilateral trade.

    "China supports South Africa's Accelerated and Shared Growth initiative and will assist by providing skills training and capacity building," he said.

    The premier, who made two-day official visit to South Africa, said: "We will train 300 professionals and various types for South Africa in the next three years."

    "We will also promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges as well as tourism to strengthen understanding and friendship between our two peoples," he added.

    Reviewing the bilateral relations, Wen said, China and South Africa share extensive common ground politically and enjoy enormous potential of cooperation economically.