Golden era of China-S Africa ties evident on the horizon

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, and over the past 25 years, the two countries have withstood changes in the international landscape and seen leapfrog development in bilateral ties.

President Xi Jinping's state visit to South Africa is his fourth as Chinese president. During the visit, the two heads of state agreed to jointly push China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and jointly build a high-level community with a shared future. Their talks before the 15th BRICS Summit helped build consensus and push forward the expected outcomes of the BRICS summit.

President Xi said the two countries should be strategic partners with a high degree of mutual trust, development partners for common progress, friendly partners for mutual understanding and amity, and global partners for upholding justice. The accurate positioning of China-South Africa relations paves the way for deepening bilateral practical cooperation.

South Africa is the first African country to join the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, and has been China's largest trading partner in Africa for 13 consecutive years. It is also one of the largest destinations for Chinese investment in Africa, with cumulative Chinese investment exceeding $25 billion, creating more than 400,000 jobs for local people. China is willing to foster new growth points for bilateral cooperation, and import more quality products from South Africa. At a time when South Africa's economic growth is lackluster, unemployment remains high and electricity is in short supply, cooperation with China will help enhance South Africa's economic competitiveness.

China and South Africa hold similar positions on reform of the international governance system and on safeguarding the interests of developing countries. China supports South Africa playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs and is willing to work with it to practice genuine multilateralism. South Africa also says that it hopes to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China and promote the establishment of a more equal, just and reasonable international order.

The two heads of state witnessed the signing of 11 cooperation documents, issued a joint statement, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa awarded Xi the Order of South Africa, the highest honor South Africa awards important and friendly heads of state. These are testament to the "golden era" of China-South Africa relations that lies ahead.