By CCTV reporter Wang Xinye

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- South Africa's Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has begun his three-day visit to China. On Monday afternoon, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and held talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Yuanchao.

President Xi Jinping is no stranger to Mr. Motlanthe. China and South-Africa have maintained frequent high level exchanges since 1998.

Later in the afternoon, Mr. Motlanthe met his Chinese counterpart Vice President Li Yuanchao. The two co-chaired the 5th meeting of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

The commission was formed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in key areas, including foreign affairs, economy and trade, science and technology, education, energy, and minerals. Mr. Motlanthe led a delegation of high-level officials from the South African government to the meeting.

Experts explained why such meetings are necessary.

The world has been watching the economic development of emerging economies, particularly countries of the BRICS, which are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

South Africa has a clear view of its own role in the BRICS.

So far China is South Africa’s largest trading partner, with the current volume standing at 21 billion USD. The world’s second largest economy is also the fourth largest tourist source for South Africa.

Both countries are looking forward to a higher level of bilateral ties.

(Source: CNTV.cn)