Situated at the southernmost tip of the Africa continent, the Republic of South Africa covers an area of 1.22 million square km and has a population of 46.9 million. Local residents are Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu or believe in primitive religions. South Africa has 11 official languages including English and Afrikaans. It has three capitals, with Pretoria as its administrative capital, Cape Town as its legislative center and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. Its first nonracial elections were held in 1994. The current president is Thabo Mbeki.

    Relations between China and South Africa have have been developing smoothly since South Africa established diplomatic relations with China on January 1, 1998. In 2004, the two countries established a strategic partnership focusing on equality, mutual benefit and common development. They have signed many agreements on cooperation in the economy, trade, science and technology, culture and education, health and tourism. President Mbeki visited China in 2001. Zhu Rongji, then Chinese premier, Vice President Zeng Qinghong and Premier Wen Jiaobao visited South Africa in 2002, 2004 and 2006 respectively. South Africa has become a destination country for Chinese citizens and tourist groups. Bilateral trade amounted to 7.27 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.