President Xi Jinping arrives in Johannesburg

On the evening of August 21st local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Johannesburg to attend the 15th BRICS Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to South Africa. This is President Xi Jinping warmly welcomed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and others at the airport. Photographed by Li Xueren, a journalist from Xinhua News Agency

On the evening of August 21st local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Johannesburg to attend the 15th BRICS Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to South Africa.

At around 11 pm, President Xi Jinping's special plane arrived at Johannesburg Tambo International Airport. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa led Foreign Minister Pandor and accompanied senior government officials such as Minister, Presidential Palace Women, and Youth Minister Zuma to warmly welcome them by the gangway. South African women presented flowers to President Xi Jinping and saluted the soldiers with guns. The people dressed in ethnic costumes danced wildly.

President Cyril Ramaphosa warmly welcomes President Xi Jinping's state visit to South Africa. President Xi Jinping stated that I am delighted to visit South Africa again and look forward to exchanging in-depth views with you on deepening China South Africa relations and issues of common concern.

President Xi Jinping delivered a written speech at the airport, expressing sincere greetings and best wishes to the South African government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people. President Xi Jinping emphasized that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, and the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa has entered a new stage. The consolidation and development of China South Africa relations not only benefits the people of the two countries, but also injects more stability into the turbulent and intertwined world. I believe that with the joint efforts of both parties, my visit will definitely achieve a complete success.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that as an important cooperation platform for emerging market countries and major developing countries, the BRICS cooperation mechanism has become a constructive force in promoting world economic growth, improving global governance, and promoting the democratization of international relations. I believe that this BRICS leaders' meeting will become an important milestone in the development process of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, elevating solidarity and cooperation among developing countries to a higher level. I will also attend the China Africa Leaders' Dialogue and work with African leaders to discuss cooperation plans, seek development paths, and jointly promote world peace.

At midnight, on the way from the airport to the hotel where President Xi Jinping was staying, Chinese and overseas Chinese spontaneously waited on the streets along the way, waving the flags of China and South Africa, and holding banners such as "Long live the friendship between China and South Africa", warmly welcoming President Xi Jinping's visit.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi and other accompanying personnel arrived on the same plane.

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Chen Xiaodong, also greeted him at the airport.