The attendance of 10 African leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January captured the world's attention. How do you interpret African countries' eagerness to engage in international cooperation?

It was very significant to see 10 African leaders jointly attend the 2013 Davos forum. It was a sign that Africa's interactions with the world have become more frequent under our current international political and economic circumstances. African leaders have demonstrated a strong willingness to actively participate in international affairs, integrate into the globalization process and achieve development in Africa. Their attendance also showed that the world is interested in Africa, and more optimistic about its future development. We hope the international community becomes more responsive to the calls of African countries, renders greater support to their pursuit of peace and development, and contributes more to bigger and better development in Africa.

Despite the fact that economic topics have dominated the agenda of BRICS summits, observers argue BRICS countries are playing an increasingly important role in politics as well as world peace and security. In your view, will the countries strengthen cooperation in these areas in the years to come?

BRICS countries have always closely communicated and coordinated on political and security issues of common concern. They have played a constructive role in safeguarding world peace, security and stability.

In addition to political and security discussions at BRICS summits, BRICS countries have launched platforms for discussion—such as meetings of high representatives for security issues, foreign ministers and permanent representatives to multilateral institutions—at which they have addressed major international political and security issues and reached broad consensus.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. What, in your opinion, have been the highlights of bilateral relations in these years? What are your expectations for the future development of relations between the two nations?

Chinese and South African people enjoy a profound friendship. The Chinese people stood firmly by the side of the South African people during their perseverant struggle against apartheid. Since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 15 years ago, their relations have developed rapidly in a comprehensive manner. Their bilateral relationship has leaped from a Partnership to a Strategic Partnership and then to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, making it one of the fastest developing, most vibrant and important relationships each country has.

With frequent high-level exchanges, China and South Africa have been able to understand and support each other with deepening political trust. On the economic side of things, the total value of bilateral trade between the two nations approached $60 billion in 2012, 37 times that of 1997, the year before they established diplomatic relations. Cooperation in areas such as finance, energy and infrastructure construction has also been in full swing. When it comes to cultural exchanges, among all African countries, South Africa has established the most friendship-city (province and state) relationships with China, and hosts the most Confucius Institutes and has attracted the largest numbers of Chinese tourists and students. Moreover, China and South Africa have closely coordinated within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the G20, the WTO and BRICS, as well as on major international and regional issues including climate change and the reform of international financial system. As they join hands to protect the shared interests of developing countries, the strategic importance and global influence of the bilateral relationship have both grown.

This year not only commemorates the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, but is also the first year for the implementation of the outcomes of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of FOCAC in 2012, and a starting point for us to build on past achievements and usher in a new era of China's relations with South Africa and Africa at large. China stands ready to work in concert with South Africa to further deepen cooperation in bilateral, African and international affairs, and to make the China-South Africa Comprehensive Strategic Partnership a model of solidarity and cooperation between major emerging economies.

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