PRETORIA, Dec. 11 -- South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday met with Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao who attended the memorial service of former South African President Nelson Mandela as the special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Li delivered to Zuma Xi's letter in which Xi expressed deep condolences on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people and said Mr. Mandela is an old friend of the Chinese people.

Xi believed that the people of South Africa will carry forward Mr. Mandela's cause and continue to make new contributions to the country's development. China stands ready to work with South Africa to deepen the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said in the letter.

Zuma thanked Xi, the Chinese government and the Chinese people for the sincere condolences, saying South Africa will continue to strengthen the South Africa-China friendship which was established by Mandela.

Li said the Chinese government and the Chinese people have highly appreciated the friendship between China and South Africa, and will work with South Africa to implement the consensus between leaders of both countries and deepen the bilateral relationship.

Before the meeting, Li paid his respects to Mandela's body at Union Building in Pretoria and expressed condolences to his family.