President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Beijing, China, on a state visit and to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit from 2-5 September 2024. The President is in China on his second state visit at the invitation of His Excellency President Xi Jinping.
President Ramaphosa hosted President Xi on his fourth state visit to South Africa in the city of Tshwane in August 2023, cementing 25 years of strong ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations.
President Ramaphosa leads delegation to China:South Africa is the second largest economy on the continent and a member of the BRICS. In 2023, China-South Africa trade volume reached 55.6 billion US dollars, accounting for about one-fifth of China’s total trade with the continent.
China has remained South Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while South Africa has been China’s largest trading partner in Africa for 14 consecutive years.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1998, China and South Africa have enjoyed close high-level exchanges, firm mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and close cooperation in international affairs.
As the first African country to sign a Belt and Road cooperation memorandum of understanding with China in 2015, South Africa has incorporated the Chinese language into its national curriculum, established the most Confucius institutes and Confucius classrooms among African countries, and designated September 17 as the South African Chinese Language Day which is celebrated annually.
South Africa is also the most popular African destination for Chinese tourists. The upcoming FOCAC summit will be held under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”
Many African leaders, including Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, will lead delegations to the summit. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will attend as a special guest, and relevant international and regional organisations will participate as observers. -Additional reporting by Reuters.
Source: eNCA
In other news – DJ Fresh speaks out following Thabiso Sikwane’s passing – WATCH
Well-known South African radio personality Thabiso Sikwane’s ex-husband, DJ Fresh confirmed her passing on Saturday, 31 August.
Thato Sikwane, who is famously known as DJ Fresh took to his Instagram on Saturday to reveal what could have caused Thabiso Sikwane’s death. Read more
