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.