PRETORIA — Visiting Vice-Premier Liu Yandong said in Pretoria on April 25 that the peoples of China and South Africa enjoy a time-honored friendship that is growing ever stronger.

Addressing the opening ceremony of a China-South Africa high-level dialogue on thought, Liu recalled President Xi Jinping’s visit to Africa four years ago.

Liu said that during that visit, Xi pointed out that China and Africa have always been a community of shared future, and that similar historical experiences, common development tasks and shared strategic interests have bound the two sides together.

The vice-premier added that during her current visit to South Africa, she gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of Xi’s remarks.

China and South Africa are far away from each other in distance, but the friendship between the two peoples boasts a long history and is growing ever stronger, she said.

Liu noted that the Chinese people firmly supported the just cause of the South African and African people against apartheid and the two sides formed a deep bond of solidarity and mutual support in the process.

Also on April 25, the vice-premier paid a visit to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria and donated medical equipment to the hospital.

Founded in 1890, the Steve Biko Academic Hospital was named after South African national hero Steve Biko. It is the only comprehensive medical and academic hospital in South Africa.