In an interview with Xinhua, Kubheka described relations between the two countries as "quite warm," given their short history of diplomatic ties.

He listed their frequent exchange of high-level visits and close cooperation in multilateral occasions such as the non-aligned movement, G-77 plus China and the World Trade Organization.

According to the ambassador, more than 65,000 participants, including more than 100 heads of state and government, as well as non-governmental organizations and business people, are expected to attend the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development scheduled for September in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji will head a government delegation to the summit from Sept. 2 to 4, at which he will speak in the general debate and roundtable conference. He will also pay a working visit to South Africa.

During the visit, South African President Thabo Mbeki will meet with Premier Zhu, the ambassador said, adding that the meeting would be fruitful.

According to Chinese statistics, the total trade volume between the two countries topped more than US$2.2 billion in 2001,increasing by 8.4 percent year-on-year and accounting for 20 percent of China's trade with the African continent.

Total investment between the two nations is also growing, Kubheka said.

"South Africa hopes to get more access to the big Chinese market, and as a powerful African country, it is ready to work as a gateway for Chinese products to enter the African continent," the ambassador said.

Although Kubheka came to China just nine months ago, he already ?feels at home," and has found the Chinese people "very warm, very friendly."

He said he hoped that when he left the country after four years, mutual understanding would have been promoted, and bilateral trade and economic cooperation boosted.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2002)