China and South Africa have joined hands to usher in a new era of cooperation, marked by Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong's wide-ranging visit to the country from April 23 to 27.

A three-day dialogue between the two countries was highlighted by the inauguration of the China-South Africa High Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism, a major step forward in the implementation of the outcomes of the 2015 Johannesburg summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The launch of the mechanism meant that South Africa has joined a handful of others that have similar mechanisms with China, including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Indonesia, the European Union and regional organizations.

Liu said the Sino-South African relationship is now in its best time ever, with deepening mutual political trust and fruitful achievements in bilateral pragmatic cooperation. She added that "despite the long distance between China and South Africa, interactions between our peoples go back to ancient times, and the river of friendship runs a long course".

Speaking at the first meeting of the people-to-people exchange mechanism on April 24, Liu said, "The international landscape and the situation in China and Africa may keep on changing, but the importance and necessity of continuously building and improving the China-Africa community of shared future will never change."

Inspired by their time-tested friendship, China and South Africa have been committed to developing a special relationship as between comrades and brothers, Liu said.

South Africa was the last stop during her four nation tour, which also took her to Turkey, Jordan and Iran.

Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa's minister of arts and culture, who co-chaired the mechanism meeting, says the founding of the China-South Africa High Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism reflects the vision and wisdom of the heads of state of the two countries.

"The South Africa-China PPEM will boost the friendship between the two peoples and facilitate bilateral exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, education, culture and tourism," Mthethwa says, adding that the mechanism will play an important role in further developing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Lemma Senbet, executive director of the African Economic Research Consortium, says, "It is encouraging that China continues to strengthen economic relations as well as people-to-people exchange with Africa in this unsettled era of protectionist and anti-globalization sentiments in Europe and America.

"The Chinese vice-premier's visit to South Africa is in part a testimony to China's increasing role in global leadership and mutually beneficial partnership with Africa on a host of imperatives facing the region: trade, infrastructure, energy, services and even long-term finance."

Zhao Baojin, a professor at the University of South Africa and a Chinese national who has lived in South Africa for 25 years, says the close collaboration between China and South Africa will promote an understanding of the common grounds and reduce the differences between the two countries regarding cultural, social, historical, economic and political aspects.

"It will bring a wealth of experience about high-tech and industrial parks to South Africa from China. The scientists and technologists from China can also learn some lessons through helping the establishment of the high-tech and industrial parks. New ideas and approaches can come about through the establishment of people-to-people exchange centers in both countries," he adds.

During the visit, Liu also met with South African President Jacob Zuma, who hailed China's commitment to supporting Africa's independent growth, expressing hope for closer cooperation with China in international and regional affairs.

Speaking at the president's residence in Pretoria on April 25, Zuma welcomed the official launch of the people-to-people exchange mechanism, which he said will facilitate public participation in developing South Africa-China relations and bring more benefits to the people.

The president said South Africa will never forget China's support for its struggle against apartheid, and hopes to draw experiences from China's development and governance. He spoke highly of China's constructive role in safeguarding international peace and security and China's important contribution to global economic growth.

Liu extended President Xi Jinping's warm greetings to Zuma. She said that with direct guidance from the two leaders, both sides have enjoyed deep mutual political trust, achieved fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation and supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

She touted the exchange mechanism's successful inaugural meeting, saying it has drawn a road map for future people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

China is willing to work with South Africa to make concrete progress in bilateral people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, and to continuously strengthen the foundation of the China-South Africa and China-Africa friendships by broadening its support among the people and in society, Liu said.

Meanwhile, on April 24, China and African countries held a ministerial conference with the aim of stepping up China-Africa cooperation on health.

Addressing the China-Africa Ministerial Conference on Health Cooperation, Liu hailed China-Africa health cooperation as the epitome of the China-Africa community of shared future.

Goals include boosting disease prevention systems and capacity building in Africa, strengthening support groups and promoting staff exchanges to benefit the public, Liu added.

On April 25, Liu met with Goodwill Zwelithini, king of South Africa's Zulu nation, during her visit to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, where he was given a checkup. Zwelithini is well known for his role in promoting bilateral friendship.

The Zulu community has a long history of fighting colonial rule and seeking national independence, and their king is respected by many. Zwelithini has visited China several times and became the head of the South Africa Zulu and China Culture Promotion Association in March.

Zwelithini says he anticipates further development of the friendship, adding that he will visit China soon to further experience the nation's charm and achievements.

Also during the trip, China and South Africa officially launched science park cooperation on April 24 amid efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in science and technology.

In a speech delivered at the launch ceremony, Liu noted the rapid progress in bilateral cooperation on science and technology after China and South Africa established diplomatic relations nearly 20 years ago.

Remarkable achievements have been made in bilateral cooperation in biology, information, mining, laser, new materials and other fields, making science and technology a priority and bright spot in the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership, said Liu.

In December 2014, President Xi and South African President Zuma reached an important consensus on science park cooperation.

Following the official launch on April 24 of China-South Africa science park cooperation, representatives from the science and business circles of the two countries will conduct exchanges and research on science park cooperation.

To implement the consensus of the heads of state, the launch of the China-South Africa science park cooperation is of great significance for deepening bilateral innovation cooperation and realizing win-win cooperation, Liu said.

She described science parks as an effective tool to develop the science and technology industry and to shore up sustainable development with technological innovation.

Enhanced science park cooperation will inject new vitality into China-South Africa science and technology cooperation, she said, adding that China is willing to share experience with South Africa in the planning, building and operation of high-tech zones.

With their respective advantages in science and technology, China and South Africa should strengthen win-win cooperation in promoting innovation and facilitate the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements to propel growth with innovation and bring more benefits to the two peoples, she added.

Contact the writers at wangmingjie@mail.chinadailyuk.com