China, S Africa pledge financial, aviation cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with South African President Jacob Zuma at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 4, 2014. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

China and South Africa pledged Thursday to strengthen cooperation in areas including equipment manufacturing, finance, and aviation during President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma's visit.

The pledge was made in a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Zuma.

China will make South Africa a priority destination for overseas investment, and encourage and support the country's industries, Li said.

He said he hoped the two countries could strengthen marine economy cooperation through programs in ports, shipbuilding and fisheries, promote financial cooperation, including cross-border settlements in local currency and currency exchange, strengthen cooperation in nuclear power, promote the establishment of joint venture airlines, and use China-made airplanes in Africa's regional aviation cooperation.

Li also vowed that China will continue to join hands with African countries to fight the Ebola epidemic.

Praising China as a sincere and trustworthy friend and partner of South Africa and Africa as a whole, Zuma thanked China for its selfless assistance to Africa's development and the fight against Ebola.

He said South Africa will maintain close high-level engagement with China and deepen cooperation and exchanges in politics, trade, marine economy and culture.

African countries welcome China to participate in building infrastructure and the regional integration process to help Africa achieve development, Zuma said.

This is Zuma's first China visit during his second term as president. Also Thursday, he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.