On the afternoon of September 2nd, President Xi Jinping held talks with South African President Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, who was attending the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation and on a state visit. The two heads of state announced that they will elevate the China South Africa relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for cooperation in the new era.
Xi Jinping pointed out that the friendship between China and South Africa stems from the solidarity and cooperation in striving for national liberation, supporting each other in promoting national development and construction, and pursuing international fairness and justice. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 30th anniversary of the founding of New South Africa. Despite the ever-changing international situation, the mission of China and South Africa to pursue modernization remains unchanged, the aspiration to promote China Africa cooperation remains unchanged, and the desire to improve global governance remains unchanged. The strengthening of solidarity and cooperation between China and South Africa is in line with the common expectations of the two peoples and the historical process of the development and growth of the global South. It has important epochal significance and world influence.
Xi Jinping emphasized that in order to focus on the new positioning of China South Africa relations, both sides should grasp the "three directions" well. One is the political direction of common progress, leading the bilateral relationship forward with high-level strategic mutual trust. Second, the direction of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, improve the top-level design of bilateral cooperation, jointly build the "the Belt and Road" with high quality, and promote cooperation in digital economy, artificial intelligence, new energy and other fields. The third is the direction of intergenerational friendship, strengthening exchanges and cooperation in human resources development, accelerating the promotion of vocational education demonstration schools and vocational training center projects, and providing more scholarships and training opportunities for South African youth.
Xi Jinping pointed out that the Forum on China Africa Cooperation is a model of South South cooperation and a banner leading international cooperation with Africa. At this summit, both China and Africa will establish a new positioning for China Africa relations in the new era and discuss specific paths to jointly promote modernization. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC made arrangements to improve the high-level opening up system and mechanism, and China will open wider and wider to African countries. China is willing to continuously create new momentum for cooperation with African countries such as South Africa, promote high-quality development of China Africa cooperation, and the fast train of China Africa cooperation will surely run faster and better.
Xi Jinping emphasized that currently, the world's century long changes are accelerating, and human society is facing unprecedented challenges. The more complex the international situation is, the more countries in the global South must adhere to independence, solidarity and cooperation, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice. China is willing to strengthen international multilateral cooperation with South Africa and will fully support South Africa's presidency of the G20 next year.
Ramaphosa said that last year, President Xi Jinping successfully paid his fourth state visit to South Africa, and we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Africa and China together, promoting the "golden age" of South China relations. South China and China have a high degree of political mutual trust and profound traditional friendship, and share similar positions and goals on many issues. Economic and trade cooperation is based on equality, respect, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes, with increasingly close ties.   South Africa is willing to continue to be a trusted and reliable friend of China, taking the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era as an opportunity to expand and deepen practical cooperation in areas such as economic and trade investment, infrastructure, new energy, poverty reduction, etc., close cultural exchanges and educational cooperation, promote more achievements in bilateral relations, and help South Africa achieve modernization. The South will continue to steadfastly adhere to the One China policy. The cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation has greatly benefited African countries, including South Africa. South Africa supports China in successfully hosting the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, strengthening Africa China solidarity, firmly supporting each other, and promoting the common development of the African continent and the countries of the global South. South Africa supports the "six point consensus" proposed by China and Brazil on a political solution to the Ukrainian issue, and thanks China for supporting South Africa's hosting of the BRICS Summit last year. South Africa is willing to continue close communication and cooperation with China under multilateral frameworks such as BRICS and G20.
After the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents, including the application of the Beidou satellite navigation system, human settlement construction, bilateral trade, market access for agricultural products, and cultural heritage.
Both sides issued a joint statement on establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership for cooperation in the new era between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa.
Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Ramaphosa in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
Wang Yi participated in the above-mentioned activities.