Xi: China is Ready to Take Ties with South Africa to a Deeper Level

China stands ready to work with South Africa to move their ties forward toward a deeper level, with higher quality and broader scope, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday afternoon during a phone call with SA President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Noting that China and South Africa share a “special friendly relationship of comrades and brothers”, Xi said consolidating and developing their relations is of great significance to guiding China-Africa relations, as well as solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.

Xi said China and SA should:

• continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns,
• step up efforts to implement the nine programs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the 10-year strategic plan on cooperation between the two countries, and
• strive for new achievements in bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Xi said China:

• welcomes more imports of high-quality South African products,
• supports the two sides in expanding cooperation in emerging fields such as new energies and e-commerce, and
• encourages Chinese enterprises to conduct investment cooperation in South Africa and to help South Africa achieve the development goals of the new investment drive.

On Vaccination…

China is ready to discuss cooperation on vaccine production with South Africa, and support South Africa and other African countries in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi said.

On BRICS…

Xi stressed that China, as the chair of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, SA) this year, is willing to work with South Africa to maintain the development momentum of the BRICS cooperation mechanism and build a more comprehensive, close, pragmatic and inclusive high-quality partnership to help member countries realize their own development and promote a stronger, greener and healthier global development.

He said that China stands ready to work with all parties to “uphold true multilateralism, safeguard international equity and justice, and defend the legitimate rights and interests as well as the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries”, so as to contribute to the steady recovery of the global economy and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

President Ramaphosa congratulates Communist Party of China on Centenary

For his part, Ramaphosa extended again his congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and on China’s successful organization of the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

China is a true friend of South Africa…

President Ramaphosa said that China is a true and reliable partner and friend of South Africa and African countries, and that he appreciated China for upholding a just position and providing valuable assistance to South Africa and African countries to tide over difficulties together.

He said that South Africa firmly adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports China’s position on Tibet-related issues and other major issues.

As the world is facing a difficult time, South Africa hopes to keep in close contact with China, consolidate friendship, continue the fine tradition of mutual support and assistance, and constantly deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields with China as well as deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation between Africa and China, said Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa said South Africa will support the work of China as the chair of the BRICS this year and looks forward to a successful BRICS summit.

On Ukraine and Russia

The two leaders also exchanged views on the “Ukraine situation” (ie. Russia’s invasion and attack on its neighbour). They agreed that China and South Africa have very similar positions on the Ukrainian issue and that sovereign states have the right to decide their own positions independently. According to China Central Television, both China and South Africa support Russia and Ukraine to maintain the momentum of peace talks and resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation. The two heads of state also expressed their willingness to strengthen communication and coordination in this regard.

Source: China Central Television (CCTV)