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President Xi Jinping meets with his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, Sept 4, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] |
As South Africa will take over the presidency of BRICS next year, China will coordinate closely with South Africa, President Xi Jinping told his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma on Monday.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen of Fujian province. They will also attend a dialogue between emerging market countries and developing countries.
Both countries should strengthen their coordination among international and regional groupings such as the BRICS, the Group of 20, the United Nations and the African Union, Xi said.
Zuma said he appreciates China's excellent preparations for the BRICS Summit this year, and South Africa is ready for mutual support with China to ensure the success of each other's hosting the BRICS Summit.
Speaking on bilateral ties, Xi noted that in recent years, the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained a strong momentum of development and the relationship is in its best shape of all time.
China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with South Africa, constantly enrich the connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership with more cooperation outcomes, and achieve common development and progress, Xi said.
Currently, China and South Africa have made positive progress in all respects of their friendly cooperation, and their pragmatic cooperation has been carried out smoothly, Xi said.
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President Xi Jinping meets with his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma in Xiamen, Fujian province, Sept 4, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] |
In the next stage, China is willing to work with South Africa to jointly fulfill the Belt and Road Initiative and the outcome of the Johannesburg summit of the Forum on China-Africa cooperation, deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, and bring their ties to a higher level, Xi said.
The two sides should continue their reciprocal understanding of, and support for, each other's core interests and major concerns, and foster their high-level political mutual trust, Xi said.
The two countries should advance their cooperation in areas such as marine economy and production capacity, and reinforce cooperation in areas including culture, science and technology, health, tourism, youth, women and media.
As next year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, both countries should make their cultural exchanges and celebrations a success, Xi said.
Zuma said the bilateral cooperation mechanism has been fruitful, and the two sides have achieved positive outcomes in exchanges and cooperation regarding economy and trade, investment, infrastructure and culture.
South Africa and China have maintained close communication and coordination in multilateral affairs, Zuma noted.
On Africa, Xi said China supports Africa's efforts to strengthen the building of its independent peacekeeping capability.
No matter how the international situation changes, China's commitment to achieving win-win cooperation and common development with Africa is unwavering, and China's support for the cause of peace and development in Africa is unwavering, Xi said.
China is willing to work with African countries on the further implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said.