CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Nov. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), arrived in Cape Town Friday evening for a goodwill visit to South Africa.

Li was greeted by high-ranking officials of the South African government at the airport.

In a written speech he released upon arriving at the international airport of Cape Town, Li said China and South Africashare a long-standing friendship between their peoples. He said the two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation in such fields as politics, economy and culture. The two sides hold similar or same views on a number of important international issues, Li said.

Li, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau ofthe CPC Central Committee, said the CPC has maintained a long-term,close and friendly relationship of cooperation with the African National Congress, South Africa's ruling party. He expressed the belief that under the joint efforts of both sides, his current visit to South Africa will achieve due results and help advance the relations between the CPC and African National Congress.

Before arriving in South Africa, Li concluded a goodwill visit to Namibia Friday afternoon. Li was seen off by Sam Nujoma and Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, heads of Namibia's ruling South West African People's Organization (SWAPO).

Before leaving Windhoek, capital city of Namibia, Li also met with personnel of the Chinese embassy in Namibia.