国内英语新闻:Chinese vice president's trip achieves goals

BEIJING, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to Singapore, South Africa, Angola and Botswana on Nov.14-24 achieved the goals of "consolidating traditional friendship, expanding strategic mutual trust, deepening substantial cooperation and boosting common development," Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun said Wednesday.

The visit, which was conducted on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, has been given prominence by local and international media, Zhai said.

During the visit, Xi exchanged views with the heads of states and governments and parliament leaders of the four nations and summed up the experience and achievements in the development of their bilateral ties.

He met with people from all walks of life and attended a series of signing ceremonies of bilateral cooperative agreements on trade, energy, finance and culture, Zhai said.

Xi also addressed a reception marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore and gave a speech at the opening ceremony of a seminar on the 10th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

During a stopover in Spain's Balearic Island Mallorca on his way home, Xi met Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez with whom he exchanged views on China-Spain and China-Europe relations.

The Chinese vice president also met with representatives from local embassies, Chinese enterprises, Chinese medical teams and overseas Chinese people and students.

Great achievements have been made during Xi's visit which was compact but effective and pragmatic, Zhai said.