Meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

On the morning of August 22nd local time, President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to South Africa, held talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Palace in Pretoria. Prior to the talks, President Cyril Ramaphosa held a welcome ceremony for President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace Square. Photographed by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yin Bogu

Xinhua News Agency, Pretoria, August 22 (Reporter Ni Siyi, Lu Xiangming) On the morning of August 22nd local time, President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to South Africa, held talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Palace in Pretoria. The two heads of state exchanged in-depth views on the development of China South Africa relations in the new era and international and regional issues of common concern, reached important consensus, and unanimously agreed to work together to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa to continuously reach new heights, and to build a high-level China South Africa community of life and fortune.

In Pretoria in August, the sky is clear and the wind is gentle. The Presidential Palace Square is in full bloom with flowers, and the flags of China and South Africa are fluttering in the wind. Under the escort of the presidential motorcycle convoy, President Xi Jinping arrived at the Presidential Palace by car and was warmly welcomed by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the exit. The heads of state of the two countries mounted the review platform. The honor guard saluted with guns, the military band played the national anthems of China and South Africa, and 21 salutes were fired on site. President Xi Jinping reviewed the South African honor guard. The two heads of state shook hands with their accompanying personnel one by one.

After the welcome ceremony, the two heads of state held talks.

On the morning of August 22nd local time, President President Xi Jinping pointed out that this is my fourth visit to South Africa as the President of China. held talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Palace in Pretoria. Photographed by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Jingwen

President Xi Jinping pointed out that this is my fourth visit to South Africa as the President of China. Over the past 10 years, I have witnessed the flourishing development of China South Africa relations. The key to the good relationship between China and South Africa, as well as the deep friendship between China and South Africa, lies in the shared interests and deep friendship between the two parties on their respective development paths. At present, China is comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese path to modernization, and South Africa is exploring a modernization path that suits its national conditions. China is willing to work with South Africa to inherit friendship, deepen cooperation, strengthen cooperation, and continuously push the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa to new heights, and work together to build a high-level community with a shared future for China and South Africa.

President Xi Jinping has put forward the following suggestions in this regard.

Firstly, China and South Africa need to be strategic partners with high mutual trust. Comrade plus brother "is the essence of China South Africa relations. Both sides need to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in legislative bodies, political parties, military, local and other fields, and continue to support each other on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns. China is willing to strengthen inter party exchanges and training cooperation with South Africa, and provide assistance within its capabilities for the construction of the African Leadership Academy at the African National University.

Secondly, China and South Africa should be development partners for common progress. Mutual benefit and win-win situation are the clear foundation of cooperation between China and South Africa. The two sides should focus on promoting the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", implementing the "Nine Projects" of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation and the "Ten Year Strategic Plan for China South Africa Cooperation", consolidate cooperation in advantageous areas, and cultivate new growth points of cooperation. China will expand its imports of South African products and encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in South Africa. Poverty reduction and rural revitalization are important elements of Chinese path to modernization. China is willing to strengthen experience exchange with South Africa and help South Africa implement poverty reduction model village projects.

Thirdly, China and South Africa should be friendly partners for mutual understanding and blind dates. The connection of people's hearts is a vivid manifestation of the friendship between the two countries. China is willing to make good use of mechanisms such as the China South Africa Vocational Education Alliance and the "Future Africa China Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Plan" to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in vocational education and promote youth employment between the two countries, and help South Africa cultivate more types of talents urgently needed for economic and social development. Both sides need to strengthen tourism cooperation, support scientific research institutions and enterprises in strengthening technical cooperation and joint research, and make the results of cooperation more beneficial to the people of both countries.

Fourthly, China and South Africa should be global partners in upholding justice. Independence and autonomy are the principles we all adhere to. China supports South Africa in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and is willing to work with developing countries such as South Africa to implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, practice true multilateralism, enhance the representation and voice of "global southern" countries in global governance, and strengthen collaboration on issues such as climate change, food security, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Safeguarding the common interests and development space of developing countries.

On the morning of August 22nd local time, President Xi Jinping held talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Palace in Pretoria. Photographed by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Jingwen

President Xi Jinping pointed out that in recent years, the BRICS countries have upheld the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, and have written wonderful stories of countries from different systems, cultures, and regions working together for development, becoming a golden signboard for South-South cooperation. I highly appreciate South Africa's meticulous preparations for this BRICS leaders' meeting. I look forward to working with the leaders of the BRICS countries to discuss the development plan of BRICS solidarity in the new era, promote fruitful results in the meeting, and promote the development of global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future. Faced with a turbulent and intertwined world, China and Africa need to strengthen unity and cooperation more than ever before. China firmly supports African countries to unite and strengthen themselves, the African Union's accession to the G20, and Africa's promotion of industrialization and agricultural modernization. I look forward to hosting the China Africa Leaders' Dialogue with you, and working with leaders of other participating African countries to chart a new blueprint for China Africa unity and cooperation, and promote the construction of a high-level community with a shared future for China and Africa.

On the morning of August 22nd local time, President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to South Africa, held talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Palace in Pretoria. Photographed by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Jingwen

President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that he is honored to receive President Xi Jinping's fourth state visit to South Africa. China is a sincere brother, friend and partner of South Africa, providing valuable support to South Africa in the process of its struggle for national independence and liberation and the realization of national development, and providing timely assistance in difficult times such as the COVID-19 epidemic. South Africa and China both pursue the development and prosperity of their respective countries, and share the same or similar positions on many major international affairs. Over the past 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, South Africa has firmly adhered to the One China principle, and bilateral relations have flourished, with close exchanges at all levels and fruitful cooperation in various fields. China's investment and cooperation have effectively promoted the economic and social development of South Africa, and have also played a crucial role in promoting the development and prosperity of African countries and global southern countries. South Africa speaks highly of the great development achievements of the Chinese people led by the CPC. It is willing to close inter party exchanges with China, deepen the exchange of experience in governing the party and the country, carry out Chinese style pilot cooperation in poverty reduction, expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure construction, manufacturing, science and technology and other fields, and welcome more Chinese enterprises to invest and start business in South Africa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the world today faces multiple severe and complex challenges such as geopolitical and energy crises. I fully agree with President Xi Jinping's proposal for win-win cooperation. South Africa and other southern countries around the world hope to strengthen unity and cooperation with China, better meet challenges together, and promote the establishment of a more equal, just, and reasonable international order. Thank you to China for supporting South Africa in successfully hosting the BRICS Leaders' Meeting. The South is willing to work with the BRICS countries to firmly defend multilateralism, promote global governance system reform, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. I look forward to hosting the China Africa Leaders' Dialogue with President Xi Jinping to promote the development of Africa China relations to a higher level.

The two heads of state unanimously agreed to promote greater development of China South Africa's comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, enhance the representation and voice of global southern countries in global governance, and inject new strong momentum into deepening solidarity and cooperation among BRICS countries and advancing China Africa's comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.

On the morning of August 22nd local time, President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to South Africa, held talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Palace in Pretoria. After the meeting, President Ramafosa awarded President Xi Jinping the "South African Medal", which is the highest level medal and honor awarded by South Africa to the head of important friendly countries. Photographed by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yin Bogu

After the meeting, President Cyril Ramaphosa awarded President Xi Jinping the "South African Medal", which is the highest level medal and honor awarded by South Africa to the head of important friendly countries.

The two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", new energy power, agricultural products, special economic zones and industrial parks, blue economy, scientific and technological innovation, higher education and other fields.

Both sides have issued the Joint Declaration of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa.

On the morning of August 22nd local time, President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to South Africa, held talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Palace in Pretoria. At noon of the same day, President Cyril Ramaphosa held a welcome banquet for President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace. This is before the banquet, President Xi Jinping  shook hands with Ramaphosa. Photographed by Xinhua News Agency reporter Pang Xinglei

At noon of the same day, Ramaphosa held a welcome banquet for President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and others participated in the above activities.