The Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries will seek more mutual beneficial cooperation with China in trade, investment, social and technical fields, said Lesotho ambassador to China Lefa Joshep Mokotjo here Friday.

Mokotjo, also dean of SADC ambassadors' group in Beijing, made the remarks when addressing a reception commemorating the 25th anniversary of the founding of the SADC at the Tanzanian embassy in Beijing.

He said China has been an all-weather friend of the SADC since its establishment in 1980. The SADC also seeks partnership with business communities in China, he added.

"China's rise is not a threat to us, but the opposite," said Mokotjo, noting that the development of China also brings opportunities to the SADC. He suggest the two sides set up a formal mechanism of exchange of views so as to further more concrete cooperation.

Addressing the reception, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng said the SADC has been playing an important role in promoting regional economic and social development, enhancing solidarity among member states and boosting regional integration.

The Chinese government is ready to work closely with the SADC and its member states to promote their cooperation up to a new level, he said.

The SADC, consisting of 14 member states and more than 200 million people, is the most promising regional organization in Africa. It aims to achieve deeper economic cooperation and integration, on the basis of balance, equality and mutual benefit, providing for cross-border investment and trade, and freer movement of factors of production, goods and services across national boundaries.

Source: Xinhua