Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma review a guard of honor in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2012. Zuma is in Beijing for a visit during which he will also attend the opening ceremony of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday held talks with his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma in Beijing.

Hu welcomed Zuma's visit and attendance at the opening ceremony of the fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The ruling African National Congress of South Africa (ANC) will hold its 53rd national conference in December, said Hu, expressing the belief that the conference would be a complete success and voicing the hope that South African people would continue to make progress under the leadership of the ANC.

Zuma said it was a pleasure for him to visit Beijing and attend the opening ceremony of the fifth Ministerial Meeting of the FOCAC, noting that the meeting would witness tremendous improvements in the Africa-China relationship.

Zuma is in Beijing from July 18-20, as well as to attend the opening ceremony of the fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Thursday.