BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- South African ambassador to China Ndumiso Ndima Ntshinga said here Wednesday that South Africa hopes Chinese companies could invest in the country's infrastructure construction.

South Africa welcomes investment from Chinese companies and hopes to expand economic and trade ties with China, Ntshinga told reporters before a reception held to celebrate the 13th Freedom Day of South Africa.

In the past 13 years, Ntshinga said, great changes have taken place in South Africa and the infrastructure construction can not meet the demand of its economic growth.

As South Africa will host the 2010 World Cup, Ntshinga said the infrastructure including roads, airports and harbors need to be renovated and the two sides can have cooperation in these areas.

South Africa also seeks to promote bilateral cooperation in culture and education and hopes to enhance people-to-people exchanges, the ambassador added.

South Africa held the first national election without racial-discrimination on April 27, 1994, in which Nelson Mandela was elected president. April 27 was then set as the South African Freedom Day.

Ntshinga appreciated China's support, saying "we are very seriously committed in our pursuit for further expansion of our relations with China."

China and South Africa forged diplomatic ties on Jan. 1, 1998.

Alongside with the reception, the embassy also held an exhibition of South African enterprises in China to give publicity to their business.