On June 7, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Berlin with his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki. Both sides agreed to continue to enrich the strategic partnership between the two countries and push bilateral ties to a new level.

During the meeting, Hu said currently bilateral ties have witnessed a momentum of accelerating development. The third meeting of the Bilateral Committee of China and South Africa will be held this year and China and South Africa are due to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in January 2008. "We hope to use this opportunity to further boost the relations," Hu said.

Hu pointed out that bilateral trade cooperation has continuously made new progress in recent years and a range of key projects between the two countries are also under way. Hu stressed that China has heeded trade issues that concern South Africa and taken measures to increase imports from the country. China encourages and supports investment in South Africa by Chinese enterprises and more cooperation on large-scale projects between the two countries, Hu said. China hopes a trade balance can be achieved through joint efforts, he added.

With the joint efforts of both sides, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held last November was very successful. China attaches great importance to the implementation of the results achieved at the summit and is willing to have more discussions and close cooperation with African nations, including South Africa, to implement the measures helpful to these countries, Hu said. China will also seek more coordination with South Africa at the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and other multi-lateral institutions to make joint contribution to maintaining regional and world peace and stability and safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of developing nations, Hu noted.

Mbeki agreed with Hu's comments and suggestions on bilateral ties. Expressing his appreciation over China's efforts to achieve trade balance, Mbeki said his country would also take measures to narrow the gap.  South Africa will further promote cooperation on large-scale projects to enhance its trade and economic cooperation with China, the president noted.

Speaking of the FOCAC summit in Beijing, Mbeki said that African nations deemed the meeting very successful.   South Africa will work together with China to implement the results of the meeting and push forward the Sino-African relations, he added.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan attended the meeting.