South Africa, China hold bilateral talks

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - China and South Africa should strengthen strategic communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs, Chinese foreign minister said during his meeting with his South African counterpart on Friday.

Wang Yi, who is on a visit to South Africa, met his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor in the coastal city of Durban.

Wang said the two emerging economies should work together to safeguard multilateralism and democratization of international relations, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and jointly safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

“With the smooth development of bilateral relations, pragmatic cooperation is at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation, and it is becoming a model for South-South cooperation,” the Chinese foreign minister added.

He said his country always views their bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective, and regards South Africa as a “trusted strategic partner” and “true friend”.

“China is willing to work with South Africa to implement the consensus of the heads of state of the two countries and elevate their bilateral relationship to a new level,” Wang said.

Pandor, for her part, thanked China for its “valuable support for the economic construction of South Africa and African countries at large”.

Wang said China is willing to work with African countries to promote the implementation of the outcome of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that will build a “closer community with a shared future for China and Africa.