On June 4, 2018 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Pretoria with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu of South Africa.
Wang Yi expressed that South Africa will host the BRICS Summit next month, and China will host the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September. Both sides should closely center on the two major home-field diplomatic activities, firmly support each other, cement coordination and cooperation, and realize integration of strategies, so as to ensure the complete success of the two major activities. Both sides should take the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to elevate China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new stages again.
Wang Yi expressed that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa 20 years ago, bilateral relations have maintained a sound development momentum. The implication of China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership has transcended bilateral scope and acquired growing global influence. As the current international situation has undergone complex and profound changes, both China and South Africa should strengthen strategic communication and increase political mutual trust to make bilateral cooperation more practical, more effective and more beneficial to the people. Both sides should continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns, enhance communication on state governance and administration, expand practical cooperation, intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and improve coordination and cooperation in international affairs. China welcomes South Africa's participation in the first China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai in November, attaches importance to the "new investment initiative" put forward by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and stands ready to encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in the Investment Conference and the Jobs Summit in South Africa.
Lindiwe Sisulu noted that South Africa highly cherishes the friendship between the two countries and attaches importance to South Africa-China comprehensive strategic partnership. The new South African government not only hopes to consolidate the existing bilateral friendly relations, but also is committed to further elevating the level of bilateral cooperation. South Africa eagerly looks forward to President Xi Jinping's state visit to South Africa combining with his attendance at the BRICS Summit, which will be the first state visit to be received by President Cyril Ramaphosa. South Africa is willing to closely work with China to ensure that President Xi Jinping's visit will be completely successful and score practical results, and that the two heads of state will establish close working relations. South Africa thanks China's strong support for South Africa's assumption of the presidency of the BRICS cooperation this year, and is ready to strengthen coordination with China to well host the two major activities, namely, the BRICS Summit and the FOCAC Beijing Summit. The South African side firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and stands ready to further deepen economic and trade cooperation with China and attract more Chinese tourists to visit South Africa, in a bid to continue to consolidate and cement the friendly cooperative relations between the two countries.