Xi Jinping Has a Phone Call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

On the evening of June 9, 2023, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the latter's request.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and South Africa are both important developing countries, and the two countries enjoy a unique brotherly friendship. China-South Africa relations are of strategic significance for safeguarding the common interests of the vast number of developing countries and guiding China-Africa solidarity and cooperation. Noting that this year marks the South Africa Year of BRICS, Xi Jinping said the bilateral relationship is presented with important development opportunities. China is ready to work with South Africa to elevate bilateral relations, build a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future, practice true multilateralism together, join hands to safeguard the common interests of the vast number of developing countries, and foster a more just and equitable international order. China supports South Africa, as the rotating chair, in successfully hosting various BRICS cooperation activities this year.

Ramaphosa said that South Africa highly values and takes great pride in the strong and high-level strategic partnership with China. The cooperation between South Africa and China benefits Africa. South Africa is committed to working with China to promote sustained development of South Africa-China relations. South Africa will deepen communication and coordination with China and other BRICS member countries to strengthen BRICS cooperation.

The two sides also had an exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis. Ramaphosa said that South Africa supports China's position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and hopes that all parties concerned will resume negotiations as soon as possible. A peace delegation consisting of leaders from six African countries, including South Africa, will visit Russia and Ukraine to work for an early end to the conflict. Xi Jinping pointed out that China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and it boils down to supporting talks for peace. He expressed the hope that all relevant parties will build up favorable conditions for settling the crisis through dialogue. It is a good thing that a peace delegation consisting of leaders from relevant African countries, including President Ramaphosa, will visit Russia and Ukraine. Xi Jinping expressed the hope that all peace-loving and justice-pursuing countries in the world will send out their rational messages of promoting peace talks.