Wang Yi: China vows to enhance cooperation with South Africa, India

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China will further fortify bilateral ties with South Africa.

He made the remarks during the talks with his South African counterpart Lindiwe Sisulu on Monday.

Bilateral ties have sustained a sound momentum of growth since China and South Africa established diplomatic relations 20 years ago, said Wang.

"The connotations of China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership exceed the bilateral scope and have acquired growing global influence."

From left to right: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu, India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Brazil's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Galvaoon pose for a picture during the BRICS Ministerial Meeting in Pretoria, June 4, 2018. /VCG Photo

Noting that South Africa will host the BRICS summit in July and China will host the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September, Wang expressed the hope that the two sides will enhance coordination and support each other to ensure that the two major events will be completely successful.

Sisulu said that South Africa highly values the friendship with China and attaches importance to their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The new South African government is committed to further elevating bilateral cooperation to a new height while building on their existing friendly relations, Sisulu added.

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj (L) shakes hands with Chinese State Councilor and FM Wang Yi before a meeting of foreign ministers and officials of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, April 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

South Africa eagerly looks forward to President Xi Jinping's attendance at the BRICS summit in South Africa and state visit to the country, said Sisulu, adding that her country will coordinate with China closely to make sure that the visit will be completely successful and score practical results.

Wang also met with Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, vowing that China will work together with India to accelerate the common development, benefit the entire world, and contribute to the progress of human civilization.

China and India have extensive common interests, and they have far more consensus than differences, said Wang.

Wang Yi gives a press conference following a BRICS foreign affairs ministers' meeting at the OR Tambo Building in Pretoria, June 4, 2018. /VCG Photo

Speaking at the meeting, Wang pointed out that both China and India should take bilateral relations and people's fundamental interests as the starting point at all times, properly handle problems and differences, and prevent the interests of one party from affecting the overall interest.

"The two sides should earnestly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas in accordance with the consensus reached by their leaders and avoid taking actions that might complicate and aggravate the situation."

Swaraj echoed Wang's concept in the development of bilateral ties, adding that India will further strengthen coordination and cooperation with China, and contribute to preserving the common interests of developing countries.

As the two largest emerging markets and developing countries, China and India share a common position in safeguarding the international political and economic order and promoting the improvement of global governance, said Swaraj.

(Cover: Wang Yi during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin (not in picture), at the Moscow Kremlin, April 5, 2018./VCG Photo)