On April 15, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with South African President Jacob Zuma in Brasilia. Both sides exchanged views on China-South Africa, China-Africa relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern.
Hu said that China thanked for the condolences South Africa extended to the Chinese government following an earthquake that struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in southern Qinghai Province. Zuma on behalf of the South African government and people once again extended profound condolence and sympathy to the Chinese government and people over the heavy casualties and property losses caused by the earthquake.
Hu said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, especially the launch of the strategic partnership in 2004, bilateral relations have witnessed sustained, comprehensive and rapid development with fruitful cooperation in all areas, which brings tangible benefits to both peoples and also plays an important role in promoting China-Africa relations as well as unity and cooperation among developing countries.
President Hu stressed that the Chinese side attached importance to the development of its relations with South Africa and was willing to work together with South Africa to inject new impetus into the development of the strategic partnership between the two sides in the following aspects. First, intensify bilateral high-level contacts, enhance political mutual trust and strengthen exchanges on statecraft. Second, boost smooth and healthy development of bilateral trade, expand existing good cooperation in the sectors of mining and finance, and explore new fields of cooperation such as infrastructure construction, clean energy, space technology and nuclear power. Third, enhance bilateral exchanges in the sectors of education, culture, journalism and tourism. Fourth, promote consultation and coordination in international organizations such as the United Nations, and within the multilateral frameworks including the Group of 20, the climate change process and the Doha round world trade talks, to deal with global challenges together. China is ready to work with South Africa to upgrade the bilateral strategic partnership to a new and higher level, said Hu.
Hu pointed out that both sides have cooperated closely at the Copenhagen climate change conference and made positive efforts for the Copenhagen Accord reached at the meeting. China is ready to work with South Africa to push for positive outcome at the Mexico climate change conference due at the end of this year and safeguard solidarity and common interests of developing countries.
Zuma agreed to Hu's proposals on developing the bilateral ties, expressing satisfaction with the development of South Africa-China relations. The strategic partnership between the two sides is not only beneficial to the two countries but also conducive to promoting the South-South cooperation. Zuma spoke highly of the important role China played at last year's Copenhagen climate change conference, which produced positive results thanks to joint efforts by China, South Africa and some other countries. It is hoped that both sides will further enhance cooperation to push for new progress at the Mexico climate change conference due at the end of this year. South Africa is ready to exchange in-depth views with China on China-Africa relations and cooperation. Zuma hoped that both sides will work more closely within the framework of the G20 to safeguard interests of developing countries.
Ling Jihua, Wang Huning, Dai Bingguo and other officials attended the meeting.