Xi vows to push China-S.Africa ties to new heights

PRETORIA -- China and South Africa should work jointly to take bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in an article published Tuesday.

The two countries should be forward-looking strategic partners with strong mutual trust, Xi said in the signed piece, carried by South Africa's newspaper The Star.

Ahead of a state visit to South Africa, the Chinese president suggested both sides should always advance the bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective and continuously cement and enhance political mutual trust.

China-South Africa relations have developed across the board since they established diplomatic ties 17 years ago. The two countries, Xi said, should be development partners pursuing equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.

"We should leverage our strengths in political mutual trust and economic complementarity, translate our friendship into a strong boost for practical cooperation, and promote more fruitful cooperation in such key areas as marine economy, production capacity, energy, infrastructure, human resources and finance," he said.

Noting that the two nations should be friendly partners who understand and learn from each other, Xi called for more interactions between the two peoples and looked forward to having more South African friends to visit China.

On global and regional affairs, the Chinese president suggested the two sides be global partners who support and co-ordinate closely with each other.

"China supports South Africa in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, and stands ready to enhance coordination and cooperation with South Africa in important international mechanisms and major international issues," he added.

Another important agenda during Xi's stay in South Africa is to co-chair with President Jacob Zuma the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

This year marks the 15th anniversary of FOCAC. Over the years, the forum has become a crucial platform for collective dialogue between China and Africa and an effective mechanism for closer practical cooperation, Xi noted.

"China is the largest developing country and Africa is home to the biggest number of developing countries. China and Africa have always shared a common future," he said.

This is the second summit in the 15 years since the forum's inception, and the first to be held in Africa.

He called on leaders of African countries to use this opportunity to renew friendship and explore cooperation with China, and chart the course for China-Africa friendly and practical cooperation in various fields.

As the world continues to undergo profound and complex changes and as developing countries acquire growing collective strength, more eyes will be on this vibrant continent of Africa.

"We are convinced that the upcoming summit will promote South-South cooperation, encourage North-South dialogue, and help move the international governance system towards greater equity and fairness," Xi said.