Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong arrived in Cape Town on Saturday for a four-day official visit to South Africa.  

Zeng said in a written statement issued upon his arrival at the Cape Town International Airport that, there exists traditional friendship between China and South Africa, and since the two countries established diplomatic relations six years ago, the bilateral relations have enjoyed an overall and rapid development with very fruitful cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, culture, education and tourism.

The Chinese vice president in his statement gave praise to South Africa's social stability, economic development, gradual improvement in people's life and its positive role in the international and regional affairs.

This is the first visit by Zeng to South Africa, who expressed the hope that by his visit, mutual understanding and friendship would be promoted and cooperation deepened.

During the visit, Zeng will meet South African President Thabo Mbeki, hold talks with South African Vice President Jacob Zuma and attend a seminar on Sino-South African eco-tech cooperation in Johannesburg.

South Africa is the last leg of Zeng's four-African-nation trip. He arrived here after the official visit to the Republic of Benin. He also visited Tunisia and Togo.

(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2004)