Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrives in Cape Town on Tuesday, kicking off his official visit to South Africa. [Photo/Xinhua]

CAPE TOWN - Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday, kicking off his official visit to South Africa.

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In a speech upon his arrival at the airport, Xi said he was glad to come to the beautiful rainbow nation. He said though far from each other, China and South Africa boast profound friendship.

The vice president hailed the comprehensive development of the bilateral ties of the two countries, saying that the two sides have been steadily promoting the bilateral cooperation and exchanges since they established diplomatic ties 12 years ago.

During South African President Jacob Zuma's first state visit to China in August, the two countries announced the establishment of the "comprehensive strategic partnership."

"I believe the visit will push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa," Xi said.

He said that he expected to exchange views with South African leaders on bilateral links and major regional and international issues of common concern, and to co-chair the fourth meeting of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

Xi made the visit as a guest of South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. During his stay in South Africa, Xi will meet Zuma and leaders of the country's parliament. He will also deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of a seminar on the 10th anniversary of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, to fully introduce China's African policy.

Xi flew from Singapore after an official visit to South Africa, the second leg of his four-nation trip to Asia and Africa. He will also visit Angola and Botswana.

China and South Africa established the diplomatic ties in 1998. From 1998 to 2009, the bilateral trade volume has expanded from $1.5 billion to $16 billion in 2009. China became South Africa's biggest trade partner and South Africa is China's second biggest trade partner in Africa.