On August 31, Premier Zhu, who is on a working visit to Africa, met with Frene Ginwala, speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa.

Zhu passed on the cordial regards from Chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Li Peng and Chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Ruihuan to Ginwala. He cited Ginwala as an old friend of China, who has made significant contribution to the advancement of Sino-South African relations, the exchanges between the National Assembly of South Africa and NPC and CPPCC of China, as well as the consolidation of friendship between the two peoples.

Zhu highly evaluated bilateral ties and the friendly exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries. He said that although China and South Africa set up diplomatic ties not long ago, the two sides enjoyed smooth contacts and cooperation in every field. He also said that the mutual visits by President Jiang Zemin and President Mbeki, together with the important documents including the Pretoria Declaration on the Partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa have pointed out the direction for the bilateral friendly cooperation. He said that the Chinese government highly values the development of Sino-South African relations and expects the partnership between the two countries advance to a higher level in the new century.

Zhu noted that the World Summit for Sustainable Development is one of United Nations' most important meetings in the area of development in the new century. China is ready to join hands with South Africa to make this summit a success.

Ginwala extended welcome to Zhu for his visit to South Africa and lead the Chinese delegation to attend the world summit. She said she expects to further deepen the exchanges and cooperation between the National Assembly of South Africa and NPC and CPPCC of China, adding that the two countries should not only seek to expand bilateral economic and trade ties, but also intensify the cultural exchanges so as to deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.