Wang Yi says China ready to deepen political trust with South Africa

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R), also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shakes hands with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola in Beijing, China, September 1, 2024. (Photo / Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

China is ready to work with South Africa to strengthen strategic communication and deepen political mutual trust to take bilateral cooperation to a new level, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday.

China and South Africa are developing countries of large size and major members of the Global South, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, during a meeting with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola.

Both countries trust and support each other, said Wang, calling the two countries friendly partners in development and revitalization and stalwarts of safeguarding international justice.

For his part, Lamola said the two countries have a high degree of mutual political trust and see leapfrog development in economic and trade cooperation.

China has become South Africa's largest trading partner, he said.

The Government of National Unity of South Africa respects China's sovereignty, believes that Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang are China's internal affairs, will continue to firmly pursue the one-China policy and supports the Chinese government in safeguarding national reunification and unity, he added.

During the meeting, both sides spoke highly of the achievements of China-South Africa cooperation in various fields and vowed to boost cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and investment and green development to promote practical cooperation and bring more tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

Lamola is in Beijing for the upcoming 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which will be held on September 4 to 6.

Wang said over the past 24 years since its establishment, FOCAC has effectively helped accelerate the development of Africa, become an important banner of South-South cooperation and driven international cooperation with Africa.

China is ready to work with African countries, including South Africa, to promote the successful convening of the summit and inject new momentum into the development and revitalization of Africa, said Wang.