Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets South Africa's Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe in Beijing September 29, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

Beijing — South African Vice-President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Thursday that he is very pleased with the fruitful results of his official visit to China.

"I hope to further strengthen and consolidate political and economic relations for a long-term strategic partnership," Motlanthe said in a news conference after meeting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

China and South Africa on Wednesday signed two deals on geology and mineral resources. The memorandum of understanding on financial cooperation were signed on the sidelines by Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping and Kgalema Motlanthe at the Great Hall of the People.

According to the MoU, the two developing countries will focus on geology and sustainable mineral resources management, utilization and development in both countries on the basis of mutual benefit.

According to another agreement signed by China Development Bank and Development Bank of South Africa, the two banks will provide financial support for bilateral cooperation in infrastructure construction, transportation, water resources utilization, housing, health and education.

Cooperation in the two areas is a priority for the two countries and both sides have pledged greater efforts in the future.

The two governments also agreed to facilitate investment by both public and private sectors from their respective countries in the areas of infrastructure development, mining, energy, transport and information and communications technology.

China became South Africa's largest trading partner in 2009.

The two countries agreed to explore trilateral cooperation on strategic economic infrastructure projects in the transport and energy sectors on the African continent.

"Not only will China and South Africa benefit from the deal," Motlanthe said., "but any other African countries involved can also benefit."

On the Libyan issue, Motlanthe said South Africa is happy to see the roadmap plan raised by the African Union (AU) was accepted by the Libyan people.

"This is the only way to make Libya stable. South Africa and the AU support Libya's interim government to start an inclusive political processes and hold a democratic election which ensures the Libyan people are involved," he said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao will also meet with Motlanthe on Friday in Beijing during his China tour.

Before coming to Beijing, Motlanthe visited Shanghai. He will conclude his visit to China on Friday.