BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang on Friday met with visiting South African President Jacob Zuma on building stronger ties.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, reviewed the all-round and rapid development of bilateral ties since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1998, saying the relations are the paradigm of China-Africa cooperation.

President Xi Jinping and Zuma gave a comprehensive outline for bilateral cooperation for the next five to ten years, which charts the direction of deepening bilateral ties, Zhang said.

Zhang proposed the legislative bodies of the two countries improve the quality of bilateral cooperation and enhance experience sharing on state governance in order to work for both countries' economic and social development.

Zhang called on the legislative bodies to approve and formulate legal documents to work for the deeper growth of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Zhang called for closer people-to-people exchanges and make legislative bodies an important force in deepening China-South Africa relations.

Zuma said bilateral ties have broad prospects and pledged commitment to deepening legislative ties with the NPC and seeking growth in bilateral relations.

Following the meeting, Zhang and Zuma attended the closing ceremony of the 2014 Year of South Africa in China and the South African Cultural Season.

Zhang said the 2014 Year of South Africa in China enabled Chinese to have a deeper understanding of bilateral cooperation and played an important role in building friendship and laying a solid public foundation for bilateral cooperation.

Zhang said 2015 will be Year of China in South Africa, calling for joint efforts to create a bridge of friendship between the two countries.

Zuma said the 2014 Year of South Africa in China is "a crucial milestone" in bilateral people-to-people relations, saying it will lead to stronger ties among people from all walks of life.

Zuma concluded his three-day state visit to China later on Friday.