By Enyichukwu Enemanna
China and South Africa are marking 25th year anniversary of their bilateral relations, following its establishment on January 1, 1998.
The bilateral relations between both countries have progressed to the status of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with Chinese President, Xi Jinping saying on Monday that relations between Beijing and Pretoria have entered a “golden age.”
“This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, the relations between the two countries have entered a ‘golden age,” Xi said during a meeting with South Africa Deputy President Paul Mashatile in Beijing, as cited by the China Central Television (CCTV) broadcaster.
“China stands ready to work with South Africa to continuously enrich the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership and take bilateral relations to a new level,” Xi added.
He also expressed the willingness of his country to work with South Africa and other African countries to implement China’s three initiatives on supporting Africa’s industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development.
Other areas he highlighted on are, the eight major steps to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, create a number of high-standard, sustainable cooperation projects that benefit people’s livelihood, work for a more strategic and sustainable China-Africa cooperation, and promote the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.
In August, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also lauded relations between the countries, noting that Pretoria is ready to further cooperate closely with Beijing in a mutually beneficial way.
Ramaphosa also noted the exponential growth in trade since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries, but acknowledged the trade deficit in favor of China.
The South African President suggested that the solution lies in facilitating greater access to the Chinese market for South African goods, high value-added products and services, and stressed the importance of boosting trade.
South Africa and China also share membership in the BRICS bloc, which embraces also Brazil, Russia and India.
