On the afternoon of September 2, 2024, President Xi Jinping held talks with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Ramaphosa was in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit. The two presidents announced the elevation of the China-South Africa relationship to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.

President Xi pointed out that the friendship between China and South Africa stems from their mutual support in the fight for national liberation, from their mutual assistance in advancing national development, and from their unity and coordination in pursuit of international equity and justice. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and also the 30th anniversary of the new South Africa. Despite changes in the international landscape, there has been no change to the mission of China and South Africa to pursue modernization, no change to their commitment to promoting China-Africa cooperation, and no change to their aspiration to improve global governance. Greater unity and cooperation between China and South Africa meets the expectations of the two peoples, and is consistent with the historic process of the growth of the Global South. It has important significance for the times and implications for the world.

President Xi stressed that given the new characterization of the China-South Africa relationship, the two sides need to keep to three directions. First, keep to the political direction of common progress to drive big advances in bilateral relations with deep strategic trust. Second, keep to the direction of mutually beneficial cooperation to improve the master plan for bilateral cooperation, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and advance cooperation in such fields as digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy. Third, keep to the direction of everlasting people-to-people friendship to step up exchanges and cooperation on human resources development, move faster on the projects of vocational education demonstration schools and the vocational training center, and provide more scholarships and training opportunities to young people from South Africa.

President Xi pointed out that FOCAC is an exemplar of South-South cooperation and a banner that leads international cooperation with Africa. At this year’s FOCAC Summit, China and Africa will agree on a new characterization of the China-Africa relationship in the new era and discuss specific pathways for jointly advancing modernization. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) made plans for pursuing high-standard opening up. China will open its door even wider to African countries. It stands ready to work with South Africa and other African countries to keep fostering new drivers of cooperation and promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation. The express train of China-Africa cooperation will run faster and better.

President Xi stressed that transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the world and human society is facing unprecedented challenges. The more complex the international landscape, the more important that countries of the Global South stay committed to independence, solidarity and coordination to jointly safeguard international equity and justice. China is ready to strengthen international and multilateral cooperation with South Africa and will fully support South Africa’s G20 presidency next year.

President Ramaphosa recalled the fourth successful state visit by President Xi to South Africa last year where the two sides celebrated the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and brought the relationship into a golden era. South Africa and China enjoy strong political trust and deep friendship, and share similar positions and the same goals on many issues. Their economic and trade cooperation which is based on equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit has been getting ever stronger. President Ramaphosa thanked China for its long-standing and valuable support for South Africa’s economic and social development, and congratulated China on a successful Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He is confident that by further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, China will provide more opportunities for South Africa and other countries in the Global South. South Africa will remain a trustworthy and reliable friend of China. With the establishment of an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, South Africa will work with China to expand and deepen practical cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, investment, infrastructure, new energy and poverty reduction, and promote closer people-to-people exchanges and educational and cultural cooperation so as to create more outcomes in China-South Africa relations and help South Africa realize modernization. South Africa will stay committed to the one-China policy. Cooperation within the framework of FOCAC has benefited South Africa and other African countries. South Africa supports China in hosting a successful FOCAC Beijing Summit to strengthen Africa-China solidarity and mutual support, and promote the common development of the African continent and the countries of the Global South. South Africa supports the six common understandings between China and Brazil on a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and appreciates China’s support for South Africa’s BRICS chairmanship last year. South Africa will continue its close communication and coordination with China in BRICS, the G20, and other multilateral frameworks.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on the application of Beidou navigation satellite system, sustainable housing and human settlements development, bilateral trade, market access for agricultural products, and cultural heritage.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa on the Establishment of an All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era.

Prior to the talks, President Xi held a welcoming ceremony for President Ramaphosa in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi attended the above events.