PRETORIA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A newly launched people-to-people exchange mechanism will give a boost to China-South Africa relations, said visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong here on Tuesday.
The Chinese vice premier made the remarks in a meeting with South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
Liu said that with guidance from Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma and joint efforts made by both sides, China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained good momentum.
Both sides have enjoyed deep mutual political trust and supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, she said.
Pragmatic cooperation in various fields between the two countries has progressed steadily and achieved remarkable results, she noted.
It is at this opportune time that China and South Africa officially launched the High Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM), which will make the foundation of China-South African relationship even stronger by broadening its support from among the people and in the society, said the vice premier.
Liu expressed belief that the PPEM will help deliver the voice of African and developing countries to the world, and continuously push forward China-South Africa relations as well as China-Africa relations.
For her part, the South African foreign minister expressed that Vice Premier Liu's visit shows that bilateral relations are running at a high level.
The good relationship between South Africa and China is playing an important exemplary role in promoting Africa-China cooperation and cementing the solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, Nkoana-Mashabane said.
The foreign minister hailed Monday's successful launch of the PPEM, saying the new mechanism will provide a key platform for the two peoples to better participate in friendly cooperation between South Africa and China.
South Africa is willing to make joint efforts with China to implement the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and continuously push forward bilateral relations, she added.
