China has always given top priority to cooperation with South Africa and will make joint efforts to safeguard the rights and interests of developing countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said Thursday.

Speaking to visiting director-general of South African Foreign Ministry Ayanda Ntsaluba, Li noted that bilateral ties have been fairly good since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1998, adding that mutual political trust has been strengthened and economic and trade cooperation has been going smoothly.

Noting that South Africa is an important country in Africa as well as the world, Li said that China and South Africa enjoy common interests in many fields.

Ntsaluba echoed Li's view, saying that bilateral ties have been developing fast although the two countries were tied together diplomatically not many years ago.

Ntsaluba also extended his congratulations to the successful convening of the fifth plenary session of 16th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, adding that China's development has set a good example for other developing countries and offered them opportunities of development as well.

Source: Xinhua