China and South Africa to boost cooperation on renewable energy, digital economy and AI

With the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit being held in Beijing from September 4-6, as the country’s greatest diplomatic event of 2024,  leaders of some 50 African countries began arriving in the Chinese capital from the beginning of the month. 

Among President Xi Jinping’s first bilateral meetings with his visitors was that in the afternoon of September 2 with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also paid a state visit to China that day.

At their meeting, President Xi pointed out that the friendship between China and South Africa stems from their mutual support in the fight for national liberation, from their mutual assistance in advancing national development, and from their unity and coordination in pursuit of international equity and justice. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and also the 30th anniversary of the new South Africa. Despite changes in the international landscape, there has been no change to the mission of China and South Africa to pursue modernisation, no change to their commitment to promoting China-Africa cooperation, and no change to their aspiration to improve global governance. Greater unity and cooperation between China and South Africa meet the expectations of the two peoples and is consistent with the historic process of the growth of the Global South. It has important significance for the times and implications for the world.

The Chinese leader further stressed that transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the world and human society is facing unprecedented challenges. The more complex the international landscape, the more important that countries of the Global South stay committed to independence, solidarity and coordination to jointly safeguard international equity and justice.

President Ramaphosa recalled the fourth successful state visit by President Xi to South Africa last year where the two sides celebrated the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and brought the relationship into a golden era. South Africa and China enjoy strong political trust and deep friendship and share similar positions and the same goals on many issues, he stressed. 

Following the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents, the two countries issued the Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa on the Establishment of an All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era.

The two sides reaffirmed that they cherish the special and ever-growing friendship between the two countries and recommitted to working together towards building a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future. To carry forward the friendship, consolidate mutual trust, expand cooperation and enhance coordination, the two Heads of State agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, underpinned by strong political ties and focused on a prosperous future with balanced trade and accelerated transformative economic growth.

China congratulated President Ramaphosa on his re-election as President of the Republic of South Africa, and believes that under his leadership, the South African Government of National Unity will achieve success in building a united, just, equal and prosperous country as espoused in the National Development Plan, including maintaining an independent and non-aligned foreign policy based on the principle of progressive internationalism.  China firmly supports national unity and the path of economic and social development that South Africa has chosen and respects efforts by the South African government to safeguard its national interests so as to improve the lives of all South Africans. The South African government reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Policy, recognised that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. South Africa supports efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

Regarding economic cooperation, the two sides agreed to work on strengthening cooperation and synergy between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan and to continue implementing the 10 Years Strategic Programme of Cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa (2020-2029).

They agreed that promoting modernisation is the joint goal in building a high-level South Africa-China community with a shared future. The two sides will deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as agriculture, health, medical sciences and infrastructure development. However, they will further seize opportunities presented by the new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, focusing on key areas such as the digital economy, new energies and artificial intelligence, boost cooperation on new quality productive forces, and further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in renewable energy, energy storage and power transmission and distribution.

China is committed to sharing with South Africa experience in poverty alleviation and rural revitalisation, in building poverty alleviation model villages, and offering support for South Africa’s coordinated urban and rural development. The two sides further agreed to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture, women, health, youth, education, sport, media, tourism, and other people-to-people cooperation fields.

The two sides applauded the recent 70th Anniversary of China’s Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, as these were espoused in the buildup to the Asia-Africa Summit of 1955 in Bandung and were later adopted as the main goals and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

They also expressed deep concern about the serious humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip. Both countries called for the earnest implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 and an immediate ceasefire and end to all fighting, and support resuming a process of political settlement of the Palestinian question. Alluding in particular to South Africa’s case against Israel, brought to the International Court of Justice, China commended the positive role that South Africa has played in activating the role of the international community in the conflict in Gaza and is willing to work together toward a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement at an early date. South Africa expressed its appreciation to China for successfully inviting various Palestinian factions to hold a reconciliation dialogue and to sign the Beijing Declaration.

We reprint below the report on the meeting, which was released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, as well as the full text of the joint statement as published by the Xinhua News Agency.

President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

On the afternoon of September 2, 2024, President Xi Jinping held talks with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Ramaphosa was in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit. The two presidents announced the elevation of the China-South Africa relationship to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.

President Xi pointed out that the friendship between China and South Africa stems from their mutual support in the fight for national liberation, from their mutual assistance in advancing national development, and from their unity and coordination in pursuit of international equity and justice. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and also the 30th anniversary of the new South Africa. Despite changes in the international landscape, there has been no change to the mission of China and South Africa to pursue modernization, no change to their commitment to promoting China-Africa cooperation, and no change to their aspiration to improve global governance. Greater unity and cooperation between China and South Africa meets the expectations of the two peoples, and is consistent with the historic process of the growth of the Global South. It has important significance for the times and implications for the world.

President Xi stressed that given the new characterization of the China-South Africa relationship, the two sides need to keep to three directions. First, keep to the political direction of common progress to drive big advances in bilateral relations with deep strategic trust. Second, keep to the direction of mutually beneficial cooperation to improve the master plan for bilateral cooperation, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and advance cooperation in such fields as digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy. Third, keep to the direction of everlasting people-to-people friendship to step up exchanges and cooperation on human resources development, move faster on the projects of vocational education demonstration schools and the vocational training center, and provide more scholarships and training opportunities to young people from South Africa.

President Xi pointed out that FOCAC is an exemplar of South-South cooperation and a banner that leads international cooperation with Africa. At this year’s FOCAC Summit, China and Africa will agree on a new characterization of the China-Africa relationship in the new era and discuss specific pathways for jointly advancing modernization. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) made plans for pursuing high-standard opening up. China will open its door even wider to African countries. It stands ready to work with South Africa and other African countries to keep fostering new drivers of cooperation and promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation. The express train of China-Africa cooperation will run faster and better.

President Xi stressed that transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the world and human society is facing unprecedented challenges. The more complex the international landscape, the more important that countries of the Global South stay committed to independence, solidarity and coordination to jointly safeguard international equity and justice. China is ready to strengthen international and multilateral cooperation with South Africa and will fully support South Africa’s G20 presidency next year.

President Ramaphosa recalled the fourth successful state visit by President Xi to South Africa last year where the two sides celebrated the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and brought the relationship into a golden era. South Africa and China enjoy strong political trust and deep friendship, and share similar positions and the same goals on many issues. Their economic and trade cooperation which is based on equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit has been getting ever stronger. President Ramaphosa thanked China for its long-standing and valuable support for South Africa’s economic and social development, and congratulated China on a successful Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He is confident that by further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, China will provide more opportunities for South Africa and other countries in the Global South. South Africa will remain a trustworthy and reliable friend of China. With the establishment of an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, South Africa will work with China to expand and deepen practical cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, investment, infrastructure, new energy and poverty reduction, and promote closer people-to-people exchanges and educational and cultural cooperation so as to create more outcomes in China-South Africa relations and help South Africa realize modernization. South Africa will stay committed to the one-China policy. Cooperation within the framework of FOCAC has benefited South Africa and other African countries. South Africa supports China in hosting a successful FOCAC Beijing Summit to strengthen Africa-China solidarity and mutual support, and promote the common development of the African continent and the countries of the Global South. South Africa supports the six-point common understandings between China and Brazil on a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and appreciates China’s support for South Africa’s BRICS chairmanship last year. South Africa will continue its close communication and coordination with China in BRICS, the G20, and other multilateral frameworks.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on the application of Beidou navigation satellite system, sustainable housing and human settlements development, bilateral trade, market access for agricultural products, and cultural heritage.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa on the Establishment of an All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era.

Prior to the talks, President Xi held a welcoming ceremony for President Ramaphosa in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

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Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa on the Occasion of the 2nd State Visit to China by H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Establishment of an All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era

At the invitation of H.E. President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa paid a State Visit to China on 2 September 2024. During the State Visit, the two heads of state held talks in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and had an in-depth exchange of views on further developing China-South Africa and China-Africa relations, including regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The two sides reaffirmed that they cherish the special and ever-growing friendship between the two countries and recommitted to working together towards building a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future. To carry forward the friendship, consolidate mutual trust, expand cooperation and enhance coordination, the two Heads of State agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, underpinned by strong political ties and focused on a prosperous future with balanced trade, and accelerated transformative economic growth. The Heads of State reached a series of important common understandings:

I. Working towards a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future

1. The two sides spoke highly of the leapfrog development of the China-South Africa relationship over the past 26 years since its establishment and commended the growth in many areas of cooperation in the golden era of the bilateral ties heralded by the fourth state visit of President Xi Jinping to South Africa in August 2023. The bilateral relationship boasts growing global significance and strategic influence, setting a fine example of developing countries from the Global South working together in solidarity, for purposes of common development.
2. China congratulated President Ramaphosa on his reelection as President of the Republic of South Africa, and believes that under his leadership, the South African Government of National Unity will achieve success in building a united, just, equal and prosperous country as espoused in the National Development Plan, including maintaining an independent and non-aligned foreign policy based on the principle of progressive internationalism. South Africa congratulated the People’s Republic of China on the 75th anniversary of its founding, acknowledged the development achievements made by the Chinese people of all ethnic groups under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and wished China success in realizing its Second Centenary Goal of building itself into a great modern socialist country in all respects.
3. The two sides agreed to leverage the strategic guiding role of Head-of-State diplomacy based on a common understanding between the two Presidents to foster mutually beneficial cooperation by leveraging further the role of structured bilateral mechanisms held at various levels. The two sides encouraged the deepening of exchanges between government departments, and legislative institutions and agreed to accommodate subnational interactions at multiple levels and across different fields, including intensifying experience sharing and mutual learning on state governance.
4. China firmly supports national unity and the path of economic and social development that South Africa has chosen, and respects efforts by the South African government to safeguard its national interests to improve the lives of all South Africans. The South African government reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Policy, recognized that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. South Africa supports efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.
5. The two sides agreed on the fundamental need to guarantee and protect universal human rights for all, everywhere, including the right to development, as a common cause for all humanity and expressed readiness to conduct exchanges and cooperation on human rights based on mutual respect, equality and rejection of politicization, polarisation, selective, and double standards concerning all human rights matters. The two sides further agree to oppose all forms of discrimination and to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable persons, particularly women, children and persons with disabilities and ensure their equitable access to resources.

II. Synergising Belt and Road cooperation with South Africa’s National Development Plan

6. The two sides agreed to work on strengthening cooperation and synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan and to continue implementing the 10 Years Strategic Programme of Cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa (2020-2029), as a blueprint towards more substantive outcomes on priority political, socio-economic issues between the two sides.
7. The two sides agreed to fully leverage the role of such mechanisms as the China-South Africa Joint Working Group (JWG) and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETC) to further expand economic and trade ties by improving the current trade structure, increasing market access and the export of value-added goods from South Africa.
8. The two sides encouraged the respective business communities to enhance new two-way investments and increase their manufacturing bases within the proximity of the relevant source of raw materials to enable the transfer of skills technology and job creation.
9. The two sides are committed to providing a stable, fair and enabling business environment for companies from both sides and to ensuring the safety and legitimate rights and interests of the relevant personnel, projects and institutions. The two sides encouraged mutual visits by economic and trade delegations, including co-hosting the New Energy Investment Conferences by chambers or associations of commerce from both sides, and holding the Jobs Fair of Chinese-Invested Enterprises in South Africa to boost local employment and improve people’s lives.
10. The two sides agreed that promoting modernisation is the joint goal in building a high-level South Africa-China community with a shared future. The two sides will deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as agriculture, health, medical sciences and infrastructure development, however, they will further seize opportunities presented by the new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, focusing on key areas such as the digital economy, new energies and artificial intelligence, boost cooperation on new quality productive forces, and further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in renewable energy, energy storage and power transmission and distribution.
11. China is committed to sharing with South Africa experience in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, in building poverty alleviation model villages, and offering support for South Africa’s coordinated urban and rural development. The two sides further agreed to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture, women, health, youth, education, sport, media, tourism, and other people-to-people cooperation fields.

III. Working together to build an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization

12. South Africa welcomed China’s role as a leader on the international stage and acknowledged that China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI)  are aimed at improving global peace and security, promoting socio-economic development, and contributing to the reform of global governance. South Africa is confident that China will promote these initiatives, noting the primacy of the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) and in line with the principles and programs of the UN and the AU, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, and the principle of subsidiarity. South Africa looks forward to close consultation and cooperation with China on both bilateral and global issues of mutual interest and encourages China to cooperate closely with other major countries in dealing with global challenges such as climate change, conflict prevention and resolution, fair trade, and poverty alleviation. The two sides welcome and support each other in playing an increased role in global affairs, and will work together to uphold fairness and justice, including making global governance more just and equitable.
13. The two sides applauded the recent 70^th Anniversary of China’s Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, as these were espoused in the buildup to the Asia-Africa Summit of 1955 in Bandung and were later adopted as the main goals and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation on international affairs and multilateral institutions, jointly uphold the UN-centred global system, an equitable international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including to uphold the rights and interests of developing countries jointly and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
14. The two sides supported a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s memberships so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the United Nations, including its Security Council.
15. The two sides agreed to make active efforts to restore development as the centerpiece on the agenda of international cooperation, and to work for the full realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China applauded South Africa for contributing to international synergy for common development and congratulated the country on successfully hosting the 15^th BRICS Summit in 2023, including its efforts as the chair in achieving a historic BRICS expansion. Both sides agree to continue strengthening coordination and collaboration under the BRICS mechanism and work for more practical outcomes of cooperation of an expanded BRICS.
16. China expresses its full support for South Africa’s G20 presidency in 2025 and extended felicitations to the African Union on becoming a full member. China called on the international community to attach greater importance to Africa-related priorities in G20 affairs. China expressed its readiness to work with South Africa to increase the influence and voice of emerging markets and developing countries, to focus on major issues such as coordination and macro-economic policies, global poverty reduction, development and reform of international economic and financial institutions, as well as to promote a more balanced and stable global economic and financial architecture.
17. Both sides undertook to continue to uphold the core values and basic principles of the World Trade Organization, oppose decoupling and disruption of supply chains, resist unilateralism and protectionism, call for reform of the international financial system, and improve development financing for African countries to achieve common prosperity.
18. The two sides commended each other’s respective roles in terms of resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict and welcomed the Common Understandings Between China and Brazil on the “Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis”, as well as the Peace Mission by the African Union. The two sides agreed that inclusive dialogue and peaceful negotiations are the only viable political ways to find a lasting solution to the crisis. The two sides call on relevant parties to observe the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party.
19. The two sides are deeply concerned about the serious humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip caused by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its spillover effects. Both called for the earnest implementation of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 2728 and an immediate ceasefire and end to all fighting, and support resuming a process of political settlement of the Palestinian question. China commended the positive role that South Africa has played in activating the role of the international community in the conflict in Gaza and is willing to work together toward a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement at an early date. South Africa expressed its appreciation to China for successfully inviting various Palestinian factions to hold a reconciliation dialogue in China and for signing the Beijing Declaration.

IV. Working to launch a new era of building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future

20. The two sides commended the successful China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue held in South Africa in August 2023 and encouraged the Beijing FOCAC Summit’s full commitment to implementing the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa’s Agricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development put forth by President Xi Jinping.
21. China commended President Ramaphosa for scheduling to co-host the high level session on “industrialization, agricultural modernization and green development – the path to modernization”.
22. The two sides agreed to further align the outcomes of the Summit with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as part of opening a new chapter in China-Africa relations. Both Presidents look forward to a fruitful conference that would promote the common interests of both China and Africa.
23. The two sides applauded the facilitating role that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC) has played in promoting China-Africa high-quality cooperation during the last 24 years since its establishment. The two Presidents wished the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC all success and expressed the hope that it would open a new chapter of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.
24. The two sides call on the international community to support the efforts by African countries in terms of the full implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and allow Africa the space to realise the benefits of its integration agenda. The two sides further call on the international community to support efforts by African regional organizations such as the African Union to independently solve African regional problems (i.e. African solutions to African problems) and agree to enhance coordination on hotspot issues in Africa and safeguard peace and security of Africa.
25. As part of the State Visit, the two Presidents jointly witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation instruments in the following areas：Cooperation of the Application of Beidou Navigation System; Sustainable Housing and Human Settlements Development; Deepening Bilateral Trade Cooperation; Cultural Heritage; Cooperation in Prevention and Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease; Inspection Quarantine and Sanitary Requirements for Dairy Products Exported from the Republic of South Africa to the People’s Republic of China, and the Protocol on Greasy Wool and cooperation in scientific field.
26. The two sides agreed that President Ramaphosa’s visit to China was successful and carried great significance in terms of promoting China-South Africa relations and building a high-level China-Africa community, with a shared future. President Ramaphosa expressed his heartfelt appreciation to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government and People for their warm hospitality during the State Visit to China.