On 9 May 2009, the Special Envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Vice-Chairman Abdul Abdulrixit of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) attended the inauguration ceremony of President Jacob Zuma of the Republic of South Africa in Pretoria. He also had meetings with President Zuma and the newly elected Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu.

Vice-Chairman Abdulrixit  with President Zuma after the meeting

Vice-Chairman Abdulrixit first conveyed the warm congratulations and best wishes from President Hu Jintao to President Zuma on his inauguration as President of the Republic of South Africa. Abdulrixit spoke highly of the important contribution Zuma has made during the years in developing the relations between China and South Africa. He also expressed the willingness of the Chinese side to continue to work with South Africa, to further promote the strategic partnership between the two countries.

President Zuma thanked President Hu for dispatching a special envoy to his inauguration ceremony and asked Abdulrixit to convey his cordial greetings to President Hu Jintao. He reaffirmed that the South African Government will work with the Chinese side to commit itself to deepening the strategic cooperation between South Africa and China.

Vice-Chairman Abdulrixit with Speaker Sisulu

During the meeting with Speaker Max Sisulu of South Africa's National Assembly, Vice-Chairman Abdulrixit conveyed the congratulations from Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress (NPC) of China, and Mr. Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples' Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to Sisulu as he takes the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly. He said that China's NPC and CPPCC are willing to maintain their friendly exchange and cooperation with the National Assembly of South Africa.

Sisulu said that the National Assembly of South Africa would like see South Africa and China make full use of the exchange mechanism between the legislatures of the two countries, and strengthen personnel exchanges.