Ahead of the 15th BRICS Summit set to take place on 22 to 24 August, Chinese President Xi Jinping is going to make a state visit to South Africa to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The relationship between the two countries has already reached in a new height already developed over the years.
This visit of the Chinese President is expected to be a historic one and tighten ties date back to the Bandung conference of 1955.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will host the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday (August 22) when a welcome ceremony will take place in the morning at the Union Buildings in Pretoria According to BRICS Summit sources, relations between South Africa and China are governed by a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), whose programme of action is set out in a Ten-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation from 2020 to 2029.
The State Visit by Chinese President Xi on 22 August is expected to give the leaders and their delegations an opportunity to reflect on development under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to consider further deepening of cooperation.
The visit crowns deliberations in which the two governments have been engaging on implementing structures such as the Bi-National Commission, Joint Working Group, People-to-People Exchange Mechanism and Strategic Dialogue. South Africa and China enjoy vibrant economic relations and China is South Africa’s largest global trading partner by volume.
China is an important investor in South Africa and provides support to infrastructure development projects, including the Small Harbour Development Project, the TVET Refurbishment Project and the Mzimvubu Water Project, all of which are instrumental in job creation.
Discussions during the State Visit will explore further collaboration and partnerships between the two nations, which can leverage on to solidify existing diplomatic, economic and people-to-people relations.
Expected Outcomes: 1. To reaffirm the close and historic political ties underpinned by solidarity, win-win partnership and people-to-people cooperation – within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and in celebration of 25 years of diplomatic relations.
2. To underscore the urgent need to address trade balance and diversify South African exports to China by identifying broad market access for value-added products.
3. To highlight the importance of sustainable foreign direct investment through supporting manufacturing, infrastructure, and beneficiation and encourage close private sector engagement from both countries.
4. To acknowledge the support of China on bilateral technical cooperation under the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in addressing South Africa’s domestic imperatives.
5. To exchange views on regional issues in support for development, peace, and security.
6. To enhance multilateral cooperation, specifically within the context of BRICS, the G77 plus China, and the G20 and to seek Chinese support for South Africa and Africa’s call for the reform of global governance institutions, notably the United Nations Security Council.
It is anticipated that several Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding are also expected to be signed during the State Visit, focusing on socio-economic cooperation, which both sides will ensure implementation that yield results for both our peoples.
South Africa and China will also co-host China-Africa Leader’s Roundtable scheduled to be held on August 24, and also engage on cooperation at multilateral level, particularly at the FOCAC.