BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative Yang Jiechi will pay an official visit to South Africa from March 23 to 24, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

Yang, who is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, was invited by the government of South Africa, spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

Hua said Yang will meet the leaders of South Africa, and both sides will exchange views on bilateral ties, this year's Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the Johannesburg Summit of the BRICS emerging-market bloc.

Yang's visit is important and aims to promote bilateral ties and cooperation to benefit the two countries and the two peoples, Hua said at a regular press briefing.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Hua said, noting that China and South Africa have seen in-depth development of bilateral ties, featuring good momentum in political mutual trust, economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and strategic collaboration.

China attaches great importance to developing relations with South Africa, and is willing to work together to deepen friendly cooperation in various areas and promote the comprehensive strategic partnership, Hua said.