Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with a parliament member delegation from South Africa Monday, and the two sides vowed to further cooperation in a bid to promote state-to-state relations.

Jia told Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, chair of the National Council of Provinces, that Sino-South African relations was developing soundly since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1998.

He said the two countries' leaders had a frequent exchange of visits and political trust and cooperation were enhanced between the two sides.

"Our cooperation in economy, science and technology, culture, education and tourism sectors were also carried out in an comprehensive manner," he told the delegation in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Jia appreciated valuable support from South Africa on the issues of Taiwan and Tibet, saying the CPPCC will further multi-level cooperation with the National Council of Provinces to contribute to the growth of the strategic partnership between China and South Africa.

He also noted that China will enhance coordination with African countries and promote Sino-African cooperation.

Mahlangu said South Africa attaches importance to its cooperation with China in all fields and hopes to expand cooperation between the council and CPPCC to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

The South African delegation arrived in Beijing Monday. They held talks with CPPCC Vice Chairman Xu Kuangdi upon arrival.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2005)