At the invitation of Dr. Ayanda Ntsaluba, Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, Madam Xu Jinghu, Director General of African Department of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Secretary-General of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Chinese Follow-up Actions Committee, Paid a successful visit to South Africa from March 12 to March 15, 2006. During her visit, Madam Xu met with South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad, Dr. Ntsaluba and held consultations with Ambassador Matjila, Deputy Director-General in charge of Asia and Middle East affairs and Ambassador Duarte, Deputy Director-General in charge of African Multilateral issues. Deputy Foreign Minister Susan van der Merwe made opening remarks at the consultations.

Both sides spoke highly of the positive development of China-South Africa relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 8 years ago. They agreed to maintain frequent high level visits, further strengthen the consultation and mutual cooperation in regional and international affairs, and with concerted efforts, push forward cooperation between China and South Africa in various fields so as to achieve more substantial results. The South African side emphasized the great importance it has attached to China-South Africa relations and its willingness to upgrade the bilateral cooperation with a view to forge an all round economic partnership between the two countries.

Madam Xu briefed the South African side the preparatory work of 2006 FOCAC Beijing Summit and the 3rd Ministerial Conference. The South African side put forward a number of positive and constructive proposals with regard to the preparatory work of the Summit. Both sides agreed to keep on exchanging views and collaborating on the relevant issues of the Summit.

Both sides also exchanged views on the situation on the African continent as well as a broad range of African flashpoints, and agreed to strengthen the cooperation between China and South Africa in African affairs.