China-South Africa friendship at new historical starting point: Xi

By Xie Wenting in Johannesburg and Chen Qingqing in Beijing
Published: Aug 22, 2023 09:39 PM Updated: Aug 22, 2023 10:17 PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on August 22, 2023. Xi arrived in Johannesburg on Monday to attend the 15th BRICS Summit, and to pay a state visit to South Africa. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping is warmly greeted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa upon his arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 21, 2023. Xi arrived in Johannesburg on Monday to attend the 15th BRICS Summit, and to pay a state visit to South Africa. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off his state visit to South Africa and met with the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday ahead of the 15th BRICS Summit, as China-South Africa relations enter a golden era with cooperation across various fields expected to deepen. The Chinese leader also hailed the China-South Africa friendship which stands at a new historical starting point.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 25 years ago, China and South Africa have achieved leapfrog development, which has gone far beyond the scope of bilateral relations and has more and global significance, some experts said. The two leaders jointly unveiled a blueprint for the future development of China-South Africa relations, embarking on a new journey of building a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future.

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