President Ramaphosa and President Xi Jinping discuss strengthening South Africa-China relations

On September 2, 2024, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for official talks that underscored the deepening ties between the two nations. In his opening remarks, Ramaphosa expressed gratitude for the invitation to visit China and reflected on President Xi’s previous state visit to South Africa, which marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Strengthening Strategic Cooperation

During the talks, President Ramaphosa welcomed China’s proposal to elevate their existing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to an “All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in a New Era.” This upgraded partnership, Ramaphosa noted, would enhance political and economic relations between South Africa and China, fostering mutual benefits in various sectors.

Trade Relations and Economic Cooperation

President Ramaphosa highlighted the steady growth in bilateral trade, with trade volumes increasing from R614 billion in 2022 to R692 billion in 2023. However, he also emphasized the need to address the trade imbalance and called for efforts to improve the structure of trade between the two countries, ensuring that both nations benefit equitably from their economic ties.

Shared Objectives and Global Cooperation

Reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to the One China Policy, Ramaphosa stressed the importance of collaboration in promoting the interests of the African continent and the Global South. He expressed confidence that the discussions with President Xi would lead to common ground on various regional and global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, socio-economic issues, and environmental concerns.

Development Initiatives and FOCAC

The South African leader also pointed to the ongoing development cooperation between the two countries, which spans multiple sectors. He welcomed the progress made in initiatives related to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and expressed optimism about future projects that would contribute to sustainable development in Africa.

Addressing Global Challenges

President Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of addressing global challenges, particularly those affecting Africa. As South Africa prepares to host the upcoming G20 Summit, Ramaphosa highlighted his country’s role in bringing attention to developmental issues facing the African continent and advocating for a just and equitable global order.

In conclusion, President Ramaphosa expressed optimism about the future of South Africa-China relations, noting that the enhanced partnership would open new avenues for cooperation. He reiterated his belief that the collaboration between the two nations would contribute to a more just, prosperous, and peaceful world.

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