China committed to expanding cooperation with South Africa, Xi tells Ramaphosa

By Hassan Isilow

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday his country is committed to expanding solidarity and cooperation with South Africa.

During talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is on a state visit to China, Xi said South Africa is his most visited African country, adding that he (Ramaphosa) is the first African leader to be received for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

“I am grateful for your invitation to undertake this second state visit to your wonderful country. I fondly recall your fourth state visit to South Africa last year, as we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,’’ Ramaphosa said during a meeting with Xi in Beijing.

Ramaphosa said development cooperation between China and South Africa continues to grow, covering many areas and welcomed the progress made in several FOCAC-related projects.

He said South Africa will support China in organizing a successful 2024 FOCAC summit and looks forward to ongoing cooperation with China in multilateral affairs.

“South Africa will use the opportunity of hosting the G20 Summit next year to focus global attention on the developmental challenges confronting Africa and the countries of the Global South,’’ he said.