PRETORIA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- South Africa and China will discuss how to boost bilateral trade and investment and to work more closely in international affairs ranging from Africa's development to non-proliferation of nuclear weapons when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visits the country next week, a senior South African official said on Tuesday.

South African President Thabo Mbeki and Wen are expected to co-sign an agreement on deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries during Wen's visit on June 21-22 in Cape Town, deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad said in Pretoria.

The agreement would be a further step to consolidate ties between South Africa, Africa's leading economic and political player, and China, one of the fast-growing economies in the world, since the two countries forged diplomatic relations in 1998.

"A review of bilateral political and economic relations between the two countries, including the promotion of trade and investment, is high on the agenda of the meeting (between Mbeki and Wen)," Pahad told a media briefing.

Wen's visit to South Africa, part of his seven-nation tour to Africa, is the first by a Chinese Premier in 50 years.

Pahad said China has considered South Africa a strategic partner in its endeavour to strengthen and consolidate its historical relations with Africa.

Both countries are signatories to the New Africa Asia Strategic Partnership (NAASP), which aims to boost Africa-Asia economic relations through increased foreign direct investment, market access and trade to tackle common challenges of poverty and underdevelopment.

Mbeki and Wen would also discuss issues concerning South-South cooperation under the framework of G-77 plus China, as well as the World Trade Organization negotiations.

"Both South Africa and China have synergistic views on .. strengthening of the international trading and financial system," Pahad said. Enditem