Xi Jinping Speaks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the Phone

On the afternoon of March 18, 2022, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Xi Jinping pointed out, China and South Africa share a special friendly relationship of comrades and brothers. Consolidating and developing China-South Africa relations is of great significance to guiding China-Africa relations as well as solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. China stands ready to work with South Africa to move China-South Africa ties forward toward a deeper level with higher quality and broader scope. The two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, step up efforts to implement the nine programs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the 10-year strategic plan on cooperation between China and South Africa, and strive for new achievements in bilateral cooperation in various areas. China welcomes more imports of high-quality products from South Africa, supports the two sides in expanding cooperation in emerging fields such as new energy and e-commerce, and encourages Chinese enterprises to conduct investment cooperation in South Africa and to help South Africa achieve the development goals of the "new investment initiative". China is ready to discuss cooperation in vaccine production with South Africa, and support South Africa and other African countries in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Xi Jinping stressed, as the BRICS chair this year, China is ready to work with South Africa to maintain the development momentum of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, build a high-quality partnership that is more comprehensive, closer, more pragmatic and more inclusive, realize the development of member countries and promote more robust, greener and sounder global development. China stands ready to work with all parties to uphold true multilateralism, stand for international fairness and justice, and safeguard the legitimate rights and common interests of emerging market economies and developing countries, so as to actively contribute to the steady recovery of the world economy and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ramaphosa said, I would like to extend once again my wishes to the centenary of the Communist Party of China and congratulate China on the successful Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. China is a reliable and true partner and friend of South Africa and other African countries, and I would like to thank China for sticking to a fair position and providing valuable assistance for South Africa and other African countries to help us jointly overcome difficulties. South Africa firmly adheres to the one-China principle and steadfastly supports China's stance on the issue related to Xizang and other major issues. At this difficult time for the world, South Africa hopes to maintain close contact with China, consolidate friendship, carry forward the two countries' good tradition of mutual support and mutual assistance, and deepen South Africa-China practical cooperation in various fields as well as Africa-China comprehensive strategic cooperation. South Africa supports China in carrying out the work as the BRICS chair this year and looks forward to a successful BRICS summit this year.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. Both sides agree that China and South Africa hold a very similar position on the Ukraine issue, and that sovereign countries are entitled to independently decide on their own positions. Both sides support Russia and Ukraine in keeping the momentum of peace talks and settling disputes through dialogue and negotiations. The two leaders said they are ready to strengthen communication and coordination in this regard.