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BALI, Indonesia. – Chinese President Xi Jinping met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa here on Tuesday afternoon.

Noting that China and South Africa enjoy a special friendship of “comrades plus brothers,” Xi said that as major developing countries, the two countries firmly uphold international fairness and justice and the common interests of developing countries.

China has all along viewed its relations with South Africa from a strategic height, and stands ready to consolidate political mutual trust and promote even greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa, Xi said.

Underscoring that the central task set out at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is to build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, Xi pointed out that China’s development will bring more opportunities to South Africa and other countries.

China is ready to strengthen governance experience sharing with South Africa, and supports South Africa in exploring a modernization path that meets its national conditions, Xi said, adding that the two countries will forge stronger synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, cooperate more closely on trade, investment and energy, advance the implementation of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation outcomes in South Africa, support Chinese companies in investing and doing business there, and expand China’s import of quality products from South Africa.

China supports South Africa in taking over the BRICS rotating chair next year, and stands ready to work with South Africa in deepening China’s solidarity and cooperation with Africa, Xi said, noting that the two countries will step up coordination on international affairs, and work together on global challenges including climate change, food security and energy security.

Ramaphosa once again extended congratulations to Xi on his re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, on the full success of the 20th CPC National Congress, and on the remarkable progress that China has achieved in its development.

Ramaphosa thanked China for its precious help to South Africa and other African countries on Covid-19 response and being among the first to help African countries ease the debt problem.

South Africa finds in China an important strategic partner, Ramaphosa said, adding that his country will continue to firmly support the one-China principle without doubt. – Xinhua