Thirteen agreements on cooperation in a wide range of fields
including politics, economy, trade, defense, agriculture,
technology and sciences were signed by China and South Africa
yesterday.?
The most important is considered to be the pact on deepening the
strategic partnership between the two developing giants, which was
signed by visiting Premier Wen Jiabao and South African President Thabo
Mbeki.?
Wen announced that China will give 20 million yuan (about US$2.5
million) assistance to South Africa for training in various
skills.?
Wen arrived in Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon for a two-day
official visit to South Africa on the fifth leg of his
seven-African nation tour.?
"I'm visiting South Africa to strengthen bilateral friendship,
enhance political trust, expand cooperation for mutual benefit and
promote common development," he said.?
Reviewing bilateral relations of the past eight years?Wen
said at a press conference that China is satisfied with the
progress in various types of cooperation with South Africa.
However, he said, it's just the start of a 10,000-mile long
march in such bilateral relations, which?are in the
fundamental interests of both countries.
Mbeki also expressed his satisfaction on South Africa's
relations with China. He said, "Both governments are indeed
committed to cooperation in all fields."?
Mbeki expressed his appreciation over the Chinese assistance and
said with it "we can meet our challenges."
Wen will also hold talks with political figures on bilateral and
international issues, meet local entrepreneurs and attend a forum
on Sino-South African trade and investment today.
(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2006)