China and South Africa announced on Monday that they had upgraded their relations to an ‘All-around Strategic Cooperative Partnership’.
The two countries are founding members of the BRICS group of nations.
Ramaphosa is among sevreal African leaders including President Paul Kagame of Rwanda visiting China for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled from Wednesday to Friday.
President Xi Jinping and visiting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a joint statement reaffiring the commitment of both nations to collaborate on global issues and support each other’s development goals.
“Despite the ever-changing international landscape, the missions of both our countries to pursue modernization and promote China-Africa cooperation remain unchanged,” Xi told the South African president.
“In the new era and on the new journey, strengthening unity and cooperation between China and South Africa aligns with the shared expectations of the peoples of both countries, resonates with the historical process of the Global South’s growth and expansion, and holds significant contemporary relevance and global impact,” Xi said.
Xi outlined three key directions for the newly elevated partnership: pursuing mutual progress to advance political trust, deepening win-win economic cooperation, and fostering people-to-people exchanges.
He advocated enhanced cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy. Xi also pledged increased opportunities for South African youth, through scholarships and vocational training, to ensure that the benefits of the partnership extend to future generations.
The Chinese president explained that FOCAC is a model of South-South cooperation and leads international cooperation with Africa.
Ramaphosa told Xi that the elevation of bilateral ties will strengthen mutually beneficial political and economic ties for the benefit of both countries and their people.
According to a statement from the South African presidency, Ramaphosa reaffirmed that “political rapport is the foundation of an unwavering and valuable friendship”.
“Our two countries share many common objectives. Building on the firm foundation of solidarity, we continue to provide support in promoting our interests and those of the African continent and the Global South,” he said.