From January 12 to 15, 2002, at the invitation of South African Foreign Minister Zuma, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan visited South Africa. During the visit, Tang met with South African President Mbeki and held talks with his South African counterpart Zuma. The two foreign ministers co-chaired the first meeting of the sub-committee of the Bi-National Commission. Tang also delivered a speech on Chinese economic situation and Sino-South African friendly cooperation at a luncheon co-sponsored by Africa-Asia Association of South Africa and the Chinese embassy in South Africa.

From February 2 to 8, 2002, at the invitation of the Institute of International issues of South Africa, Mei Zhaorong, President of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, headed a delegation to South Africa and met with General Secretary Motlanthe of the African National Congress (ANC) and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of South Africa.

From April 10 to 15, 2002, at the invitation of South African Communist Party, a Chinese Communist Party delegation headed by Liu Yandong, Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Deputy Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited South Africa.

From June 11 to 16, 2002, at the invitation of the Academy of Engineer of South Africa, Vice President Song Jian of the CPPCC visited South Africa and met with Deputy Speaker Mbete of the National Assembly and Ngubane, Minister of Culture and Art.

From July 7 to 10, 2002, Vice Foreign Minister Yang Wenchang attended the first summit meeting of the African Union, held in South Africa, and also paid a visit to the country at the invitation of South African Vice Foreign Minister Pahad. During the visit, Yang met with South African Vice President Zuma, and Foreign Minister Zuma respectively and held talks with Vice Foreign Minister Pahad.

From July 24 to 28, 2002, a CPC delegation headed by Party Secretary Bai Keming of HainanProvincewas invited to attend the eleventh national congress of the South African Communist Party. Bai delivered a congratulatory speech for the CPC Central Committee to the meeting and handed General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Jiang Zemin's congratulatory telegram when meeting with Nzimande, General Secretary of South African Communist Party.

On September 12, 2002, the representative of South Africagave a speech at the meeting of the General Committee of the 57th United Nations General Assembly to reaffirm that the South African Government adheres to the "one-China" policy and is opposed to include the proposal of "Taiwan's participation in the UN" into the agenda of the present General Assembly.

From October 11 to 18, 2002, at the invitation of the Chinese People's Instituteof Foreign Affairs, Tolomisa, Chairman of the Joint Democratic Movement of the South African Opposition Parties, at the capacity of a parliament member, visited Chinaand met with Vice Chairman Wang Zhaoguo of the CPPCC.

On December 16, 2002, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) sent a letter to the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africacongratulating the convening of the 51stgeneral meeting of the ANC. On 17, December, General Secretary Hu Jintao of the CPC Central Committee sent a telegram to Mbeki congratulating him on reelection of the chairman of the ANC. At the invitation of the ANC, Wang jiarui, alternate member of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, headed a delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the meeting.

From January 19 to22, 2003, at the invitation of the South Africa Government, Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing paid an official visit to South Africa. Li met with South African President Mbeki and Speaker Ginwala and held talks with Vice President Zuma. Li gave an active evaluation of China-South African relations and said he was satisfied with the substantial achievements of bilateral ties in various fields over the past years since the two countries established diplomatic relations. Vice Premier Li expressed China's willingness to further strengthen full cooperation with South Africa. Li stated that Chinaextremely appreciates the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) advocated by South Africa, and supports African countries' efforts for national reconciliation and social stability. Chinawill continue to work hard to help Africadeal with challenges brought by globalization through the Forum on China-African cooperation. Chinahopes to deepen mutual cooperation with Africain various fields through governmental and non-governmental channels and make joint efforts to perfect mutual infrastructure construction, and explore human resources. The South African leaders congratulated Chinaon its successful convening of the 16thnational congress of the CPC and its enormous accomplishment the reform and opening-up policy has achieved. South African leaders appreciate the positive progress South Africa-China cooperation has scored and said South Africawishes to learn from China's successful experience. Africaneeds stability and peace, and South Africais willing to work together with Chinaand the international community towards this end. During the visit, Chinaand South Africasigned the Accord on Criminal and Judicial Assistance between the People's Republic of Chinaand the Republicof South Africa. Chen Zhili, Minister of Education who accompanied Li to visit to South Africa, held talks with South African Minister of Education Asmal and signed the summary of talks. Xu Guanhua, Minister of Science and Technology, held talks with South African Minister of Art and Science Ngubane.

On February 25, 2003, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya met with South African Foreign Minister Zuma when he attended the 13thsummit meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The two sides exchanged views on the Iraqissue and China-South African relations.

From March 18 to 21, 2003, at the invitation of the Ministry of State Security, South African Minister of Intelligence Shisulu visited Chinaand met with Luo Gan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

On May 11, 2003, South African President Mbeki sent telegrams to President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao respectively, and South African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang sent a telegram to Wu Yi, Vice Premier and Minister of Health, to express condolence to Chinafor its SARS outbreak. They expressed South Africa's wishes to offer help it can to the Chinese people for the prevention of the epidemic.

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