Chinese Premier Li Keqiang hailed China-South Africa relations, vowing to push forward pragmatic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges when meeting with South African Deputy President David Mabuza Tuesday in the Great Hall of the People.

Li viewed South Africa as an important African country whose deepening relations with China would push forward China's cooperation with all African countries.

Li expressed China's willingness to enhance political mutual trust with South Africa and called for joint efforts in promoting pragmatic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges with African people and their governments.

Noting that both China and South Africa are developing countries with broad common interests in various fields, Li said that China is ready to enhance cooperation with South Africa within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), so as to protect national interests of the developing countries and safeguard regional and global peace and stability.

Mabuza spoke highly of the comprehensive development of bilateral relations. He echoed Li's remarks, adding that South Africa is willing to draw on China's experiences in national development.

Mabuza is on an official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese vice president Wang Qishan. He and Wang will co-chair the seventh plenary session of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

(Cover: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) shakes hands with South African Deputy President David Mabuza in Beijing, China, October 29, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)