Chinese President Holds Talks with His South African Counterpart in Pretoria

On August 22, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Xi Jinping expressed his great pleasure to pay another visit to South Africa, the beautiful “rainbow nation.” He said it was his fourth visit to South Africa as Chinese President, and he felt a particular warmth being in the country after five years. Under the leadership of President Ramaphosa, South Africa has made much progress in its national development, and its international influence has been rising steadily. China feels happy for South Africa and wishes the country greater progress on its path of development. Xi Jinping noted that he has personally experienced the robust growth of China-South Africa relations on the marvelous land of South Africa over the past decade. He witnessed the founding of the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology, experienced the splendor of the Year of China in South Africa, and also pressed the button with President Ramaphosa to launch the production line of the BAIC South Africa plant.

The key to such strong relationship and profound friendship between China and South Africa lies in the deep comradeship and brotherhood forged by the two countries and the two political parties through mutual support in pursuit of their respective development. Now, standing at a new historical starting point, both countries share the aspiration to carry forward the friendship, deepen cooperation, and strengthen coordination, which is also the call of the times for both countries. Xi Jinping expressed his readiness to work with President Ramaphosa to take the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.