Top legislator Wu Bangguo met Tuesday with Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, chairman of South Africa's National Council of Provinces.

Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said the relations between China and South Africa developed rapidly over the past seven years since the two countries forged diplomatic ties with vibrant economic cooperation and enforced political trust.

China and South Africa share similar stances on many international and regional affairs and enjoy mutual support on the issues of concern, he said.

Wu said China is ready to work with South Africa to upgrade bilateral cooperation in all areas to promote the development of bilateral strategic partnership.

On parliamentary exchanges, Wu said the NPC attaches great importance to its relations with the parliament of South Africa.

He urged the two countries to bolster parliamentary exchanges through regular contacts so as to instill new vitality to bilateral strategic partnership.

Mahlangu said South Africa values its ties with China and hopes bilateral cooperation and friendship will be further consolidated with enhanced parliamentary exchanges.

This is Mahlangu's first visit to China. He will also visit northwest China's Gansu Province.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2005)