On May 6, 2013, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met in Beijing with a delegation of the South African Communist Party headed by its second deputy General Secretary Solly Mapaila.

Li thanked Mapaila during the meeting for his offer of condolences over the recent earthquake in Lushan County of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Li said that China attaches great importance to developing relations with South Africa and is willing to work with South Africa to implement the agreements reached by the two state leaders and strengthen practical cooperation in various fields. Li said the CPC is willing to exchange governance experience with the South African Communist Party, to upgrade the two parties' relations and to promote the development of the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership.

Mapaila said his party is ready for enhancing communication and cooperation between the two parties and keen for the two sides to learn from each other. He also said his party will make efforts in deepening the friendship between the two peoples.