South African President Thabo Mbeki arrived in Beijing on Friday evening, starting a state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Mbeki will attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China- Africa Cooperation slated for Nov. 4-5.

Mbeki will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao and meet with top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao respectively.

South Africa established diplomatic relations with China on January 1, 1998. The two countries established a strategic partnership focusing on equality, mutual benefit and common development in 2004.

Source: Xinhua