China and South Africa Strengthen Ties as Xi and Ramaphosa Discuss Future Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for strengthened solidarity and cooperation between China and South Africa in a new era, highlighting the shared aspirations of the two nations. The statement was made during a meeting between Xi and visiting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Beijing, ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit.

Xi praised the strong bilateral ties between China and South Africa, stating that he has visited South Africa more times than any other African country. He also welcomed Ramaphosa as the first African head of state to visit China before the FOCAC summit, emphasizing the high-level friendship between the two nations.

The meeting comes as China marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and South Africa celebrates the 30th anniversary of its new democracy. Despite changes in the international landscape, Xi stressed that China and South Africa remain committed to pursuing modernization, promoting China-Africa cooperation, and improving global governance.

Ramaphosa pledged his country’s adherence to the one-China policy and expressed its firm support for China in promoting mutually beneficial cooperation. He emphasized the strong political rapport and friendship between the two nations, stating that they share many common objectives and will continue to support each other.

The two leaders’ statements underscore the growing importance of China-Africa cooperation, with both countries seeking to strengthen their ties and advance their shared interests. The meeting between Xi and Ramaphosa marks a significant step forward in this process, as they look to build on their strong foundation of solidarity and cooperation to achieve greater progress in the years to come.