South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to elevate his country’s relationship with China to an “All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in a New Era”.
Speaking at the opening of official talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Mr Ramaphosa said the move would “elevate our mutually beneficial political and economic ties for the benefit of both our countries and our people”.
The South African leader, on his second state visit to China, emphasised the strong foundation of the two nations’ friendship. He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the One China Policy and highlighted shared objectives between the countries.
“Building on the firm foundation of solidarity, we continue to provide support in promoting our interests, those of the African Continent and the Global South,” Mr Ramaphosa said.
The president expressed a desire to address South Africa’s trade deficit with China, calling for “more sustainable manufacturing and job-creating investments”.
Mr Ramaphosa also touched on multilateral cooperation, mentioning South Africa’s upcoming hosting of the G20 Summit and China’s support for BRICS initiatives.
“As we enter a new phase of our partnership, we should continue to consult closely in pursuit of a just, equitable and prosperous world,” he concluded.
The talks come as South Africa marks 30 years of democracy and seeks to strengthen its position on the global stage.
