South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reaffirmed their countries’ friendship and pledged to deepen cooperation in a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, energy, tourism, education and training, and digital technologies.
Ramaphosa made the remarks during a joint press conference with Xi in Pretoria on Tuesday, the first day of Xi’s four-day state visit to South Africa.
We are gratified that the friendship between the People’s Republic of China and South Africa has endured.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) August 22, 2023
The friendship that exists between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China is living proof of what is set out in the Freedom Charter, which is the forerunner of the…
“We are gratified that the friendship between the People’s Republic of China and South Africa has endured,” Ramaphosa said. “The friendship that exists between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China is living proof of what is set out in the Freedom Charter, which is the forerunner of the South African Constitution, which declared that: ‘There shall be Peace and Friendship.'”
📸 His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa welcomes His Excellency President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China on a State Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.#ChinaInSA 🇨🇳🇿🇦#BetterAfricaBetterWorld 🌍 pic.twitter.com/4TxFFC7Voo
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 22, 2023
Ramaphosa said that he and Xi had agreed that BRICS, the grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, must play an expanded role in global affairs. They also agreed to co-chair a China-Africa Leaders’ Roundtable on the sidelines of the upcoming BRICS summit.
The two leaders also discussed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its impact on developing economies in Africa and elsewhere. They both agreed on the importance of dialogue and negotiation between the two sides.
📸 His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa hosts a Welcome Ceremony in honour of His Excellency President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China on a State Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.#ChinaInSA 🇨🇳🇿🇦#BetterAfricaBetterWorld 🌍 pic.twitter.com/DnOWQ0vIse
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 22, 2023
On multilateral cooperation, Ramaphosa and Xi said they had agreed to consult closely on issues of common concern, including in the context of BRICS, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the G77 plus China, and the G20.
They also discussed areas of synergy in line with the call by South Africa and other African countries for the reform of institutions of global governance, notably the UN Security Council.
“We agree that the interests of the Global South must be fairly represented on all multilateral fora,” Ramaphosa said.
📸 His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa in a tête-à-tête with President Xi Jinping of the Republic of China ahead of Official Talks during the occasion of the State Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. Relations between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China… pic.twitter.com/n3Bro1Ca1u
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 22, 2023
During the state visit, South Africa and China also signed a number of agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the digital economy and a framework agreement on cooperation in the field of energy.
“We are committed to deepening our cooperation in all areas,” Ramaphosa said. “We believe that together, we can build a better future for our people and for the world.”
