Xi calls on China, South Africa to strive for closer ties

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and South Africa to continue striving to develop closer ties and join hands to achieve their development dreams.

"There is huge potential for bilateral ties, but we cannot stop racing ahead. As the two countries embark on a new journey of development, we should work hand in hand and heart to heart to assist each other in achieving our dreams in development," he said.

CGTN Photo

Xi made the remarks while attending a welcome banquet hosted by his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and South Africa.

The two countries established diplomatic ties on Jan. 1, 1998, opening a new chapter in their bilateral ties.

"The China-South Africa relationship has taken a major leap forward over the past 20 years," Xi said, adding that the rapid development of ties not only embodies the constant deepening of China-Africa cooperation but also manifests the solidarity and coordination between major developing countries.

Such fruitful outcomes of bilateral ties in just 20 years mainly resulted from the fact that the two sides always support and rely on each other, maintain mutual respect and trust, and promote mutual understanding and win-win cooperation, he said.

Xi called on the two sides to bear in mind the big picture of the direction of bilateral ties, cement political mutual trust, and always treat each other as sincere comrades and brothers sharing weal and woe.

He also urged the two sides to constantly tap their development potential, advance practical cooperation, strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and promote people-to-people exchanges.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa hold talks in Pretoria, South Africa, July 24, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

The two countries should enhance high-level strategic coordination and continue to support each other in international affairs, so as to jointly build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

Ramaphosa extended a warm welcome to Xi, saying that he was glad to celebrate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties with the Chinese president.

Hailing the close contact between the two ruling parties, countries and peoples, as well as the sound cooperation on the bilateral, regional and global level, Ramaphosa said that the South Africa-China relationship is at the best period in history.

Xi's visit shows that the South Africa-China relationship is of strategic significance, surpassing the usual scope of bilateral ties, he said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang speaks at the regular press conference on Wednesday. /Photo via Chinese MOFA

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang also said at the regular press conference on Wednesday that the bilateral relations between the two nations have made a significant leap during the past two decades, "from partnership to strategic partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership, which is rare in China's bilateral diplomacy with other countries".

He also hailed that the China-South Africa relations have become a model for other China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency