Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), on Saturday called on developing countries to strengthen cooperation in order to meet the challenge of economic globalization.
Speaking at a meeting with South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma, Li said developing countries must face the reality of economic globalization, a trend that cannot be reversed.
No country can be excluded from this trend, including developing countries which are beset by many difficulties and problems, Li said.
Therefore, developing countries should adopt appropriate policies based on researches conducted accordingly and seize the opportunities so as to take the initiative, said Li, who arrived here Wednesday on a six-day official goodwill visit to South Africa.
Li stressed the importance of promoting cooperation among developing countries so as to facilitate the establishment of a just and rational new international economic order and ensure that economic globalization will benefit all countries.
Referring to Sino-South African relations, Li said China attaches importance to developing relations with South Africa and is ready to work together with South Africa to push the relationship to a new level.
Bilateral relations have enjoyed rapid growth in all aspects, with the cooperation constantly expanded and strengthened in various sectors since the establishment of the diplomatic relations more than three years ago.
Zuma said he agreed with Li on his assessment of bilateral ties.
China, he said, had supported the South African people in their anti-apartheid struggle in the past.
South Africa, ever since the end of apartheid in 1994, has been working hard to develop its relations with China and has consolidated this relationship in various fields, Zuma said.
He said the two countries should further develop their cooperation, work towards common development and meet the grave challenge of economic globalization.
Also on Saturday night, South African National Assembly speaker Frene Ginwala held a banquet in honor of Li and his entourage.
She pledged that South Africa would further strengthen the ties with China, "ties which are based on our status as developing countries, on long standing friendship and solidarity and which must be developed for the mutual benefit of both our peoples".
South Africa is the second leg of Li's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Morocco and Turkey. He has already visited Mauritius.
(Xinhua 04/22/2001)
