South African president meets Chinese general

South African President Thabo Mbeki said Pretoria on July 17 that his country would like to further its efforts to enhance relations with China and do its share to promote world peace and common development.

Mbeki made the remarks while meeting with General Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission, in his presidential palace in Pretoria.

Since the signing of Pretoria Declaration with former Chinese president Jiang Zemin six years ago, Mbeki said, the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries have developed rapidly and such relations are beneficial to both South Africa and China.

Guo conveyed the best regards from Chinese President Hu Jintao and Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin to the South African president.

He said South Africa is an important African country, which plays a big role in regional and international arena.

Guo, who started his visit to South Africa from Saturday, said China attaches importance to the friendship of the two countries and two armies and would like to advance the strategic partnership relations with South Africa.

Source: Xinhua