The future is expected to be a “golden era” between China and South Africa

During the BRICS summit, the two heads of state of China and South Africa jointly signed 11 cooperation documents. The two sides issued a joint statement and reached several important agreements. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa presented the “South African Medal” to Chinese President Xi Jinping…all of which are the best evidence of the “Golden Age” of China-South Africa relations.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. In the past 25 years, the relationship between the two countries has made a leap from partnership, strategic partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership, regardless of the ups and downs of the international situation. This state visit to South Africa is Xi Jinping’s fourth visit as Chinese President. On August 22, the two heads of state agreed to work together to promote the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and build a high-level China-South Africa common community.
Over the past 25 years, the friendship between China and South Africa has deepened. Faced with the new situation, how can China and South Africa promote greater development of bilateral relations? Chinese President Xi proposed that China and South Africa should be strategic partners of high degree of mutual trust, be development partners making common progress, be friendly partners with mutual understanding, and be global partners upholding justice. Must be a partner. These four suggestions, based on a thorough survey of the current international situation, set the direction for China-South Africa relations to deepen concrete cooperation.
Among them, development is the common task of China and South Africa. South Africa is the first African country to join the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” cooperation, and has become China’s largest trading partner in Africa for 13 consecutive years. Special items such as South African wine and aloe vera gel are very popular among Chinese people. The DA wind power project built and operated by a Chinese company in South Africa has lit up 300,000 local homes. Also, South Africa is one of the largest Chinese investment destinations in Africa. China’s cumulative investment in South Africa has exceeded US$25 billion, creating more than 400,000 jobs for South Africans. In the first half of this year, the bilateral trade volume between China and South Africa increased by 11.7% over last year.
At present, China is promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization in an all-round way, and South Africa is also exploring a modernization path adapted to its own national conditions. The Chinese side said it is ready to develop new development areas of cooperation between the two countries, import more high-quality South African products, and help South Africa implement the poverty alleviation demonstration village project. The bilateral cooperation agreement signed by the two countries covers the co-construction of the “Belt and Road”, joint construction of new energy power, special economic zones and industrial parks, blue economy, technological innovation, etc.
Today the world is stuck in the quagmire of anarchy. People yearn for peace and development, and strive to find fairness and justice. However, some major Western countries have unilaterally imposed sanctions and provoked division and conflict, which has seriously affected global development and the international order. As important developing countries in the world, China and South Africa have common views on the reform of the international governance system, and have the responsibility to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice and safeguard the interests of developing countries.
China made it clear this time that it would support South Africa to play a greater role in international and regional affairs. South Africa said that South Africa and the countries of the “Global South” hope to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China and promote the establishment of a more equal, fair and just international order.
During the current BRICS summit, the heads of state of China and South Africa will also co-chair the Chinese-African Leaders’ Dialogue. China-South Africa relations have entered a “golden age”.
(Credits-China Media Group, Beijing)