Xi: China-South Africa ties in 'best condition'

The China-South Africa relationship is "in its best condition of all time" and is faced with an historic opportunity for development, President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma on Saturday.

The meeting happened on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in eastern China's Hangzhou city.

The comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa is marching with great steps forward, Xi said.

The two sides hoped to expand trust, strengthen exchanges on party, government, legislation and military levels, boost cooperation at the localities level and promote investment and employment, Xi said.

Both China and South Africa are important developing major countries and members of the BRICS, and China is ready to work along with South Africa to further strengthen coordination in bilateral and multilateral affairs.

Zuma said South Africa cherished its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and that the bilateral relationship was deepening and cooperation in various fields was developing rapidly.

South Africa endorses China's contribution to the development of Africa as well as China's leadership at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou to focus on issues concerning development, particularly the development of Africa, Zuma said.

South Africa is ready to closely work with China upon cooperation regarding the United Nations, G20, the BRICS and China-Africa Cooperation Forum, he added.