China, S Africa pledge to upgrade strategic partnership
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Of African nations, South Africa was the one drawing the biggest number of Chinese tourists and students who pursued higher education in the country at the southern tip of Africa.
China and South Africa have supported each other on issues concerning their core and major interests, Jia said, adding the two countries have coordinated closely on international affairs.
Jia noted that South Africa would host the FIFA World Cup in summer, which is the first one to be staged in African continent.
"This is the glory and pride of all peoples in the African continent. We wish you a successful and wonderful World Cup," Jia told Mahlangu.
Looking to the future, Jia said China would like to work with South Africa to deepen cooperation in all fields and bring bilateral partnership to a new high.
Mahlangu proposed the two countries learn from each other and work closely in trade and investment. He also reaffirmed that South Africa would adhere to the one-China policy.
Jia and Mahlangu agreed on furthering the exchanges between the CPPCC and the National Council of Provinces of South Africa.
On China-Africa relations, Jia said China is committed to boosting the all-round relationship between the world's biggest developing country and the continent with the largest number of developing countries.
Jia said China has paid much attention to implementing the eight new measures introduced by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao last November in Egypt, which included debt cancellation, agriculture production, infrastructure and education.
Jia said China would help African countries cope with the challenges of the international financial crisis and seek sustainable development.
Mahlangu praised the role of China-Africa Cooperation Forum, saying South Africa will work with China to carry out the mechanism and deepen China-Africa cooperation.
South Africa is the last leg of Jia's 10-day African tour which has already took him to Cameroon and Namibia.
Jia will also travel to Johannesburg and Pretoria to continue his visit to the country at the southern tip of Africa.
He is scheduled to meet with South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday afternoon.
