On April 21, 2008, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with his South African counterpart Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Both sides made positive comments on bilateral ties and exchanged views on bilateral and international and regional issues of common concern.

Yang told Zuma that this year marks the 10th anniversary of China-South Africa diplomatic ties. China was ready to make joint efforts with South Africa to continuously strengthen mutual political trust, develop the potential for cooperation and enrich the strategic partnership between the two countries so as to create a better future for bilateral ties. Yang hailed the establishment of the vice-ministerial strategic dialogue mechanism, scheduled to convene for the first time during Zuma's current visit to China, and said he hoped it would become a platform for the development of China-South Africa ties. China hoped the strategic dialogue between China and South Africa would be an effective mechanism and platform for promoting bilateral strategic partnership.

Zuma said South Africa was satisfied with the rapid growth and achievements of its strategic partnership with China, and was ready to further consolidate the existing good relations and raise the level of bilateral cooperation. The foreign minister noted South Africa attached great importance to the strategic dialogue with China and hoped to use the mechanism to deepen mutual understanding and promote strategic cooperation. The two also agreed to carry out activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries this year.