PRETORIA — South African President Jacob Zuma on April 25 hailed China’s commitment to supporting Africa’s independent growth, expressing hope for closer cooperation with China in international and regional affairs.

Zuma made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Vice-Premier Liu Yandong.

During the talks, President Zuma asked the vice-premier to extend his warm greetings to President Xi Jinping, saying he was pleased to see quick implementation of his consensus with the Chinese president on setting up the South Africa-China High Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM).

The official launch of the PPEM will facilitate public participation in developing South Africa-China relations and bring more benefits to the people, said Zuma.

South Africa will never forget China’s support for its struggle against apartheid, and hopes to draw experiences from China’s development and governance, said the President.

Zuma spoke highly of China’s constructive role in safeguarding international peace and security and China’s important contribution to global economic growth.

Appreciating China for its commitment to helping African countries realize independent development, Zuma expressed hope for maintaining close communication and coordination with China at the United Nations and BRICS.

For her part, the vice-premier extended President Xi’s warm greetings to President Zuma.

Liu said that with direct guidance from the two leaders, both sides have enjoyed deep mutual political trust, achieved fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation and supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns.

She hailed the PPEM’s successful inaugural meeting, saying it has drawn out a road map for future people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

China is willing to work with South Africa to make concrete progress in bilateral people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, and continuously strengthen the foundation of China-South Africa friendship and China-Africa friendship by broadening its support from among the people and in society, said the vice-premier.

Liu also urged China and South Africa to deepen cooperation in areas such as industrial capacity, energy and resources and infrastructure so as to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Noting that both China and South Africa are members of the G20 and BRICS and major developing countries, Liu said China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with South Africa in international and regional affairs and to make joint efforts to maintain the interests of developing countries.