South Africa–Cape Town: Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao Visits to Deepen Strategic Ties
South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa (right) shakes hands with visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao during their meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on Nov. 22, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa (R) shakes hands with visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao during their meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on Nov. 22, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
CAPE TOWN, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) – South African President Jacob Zuma met with visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao in Cape Town on Tuesday, with both leaders pledging to further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries.
President Zuma described China and South Africa as “best friends and comrades, as close as brothers,” noting that the two nations share common or closely aligned views on numerous global issues and maintain frequent high-level engagements.
Zuma highlighted the strength and potential of bilateral cooperation across various sectors. He noted that China’s investments—such as in the COEGA Industrial Development Zone in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province—have created jobs and supported national development.
As President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), Zuma also emphasized the long-standing friendship between the ANC and the Communist Party of China (CPC), expressing interest in deeper exchanges on state governance. He added that the CPC’s commitment to strict party discipline is an area the ANC is keen to learn from.
Vice President Li noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Zuma have met eight times since 2013, engaging in in-depth discussions on bilateral ties and shared global concerns.
He reaffirmed that China views its relationship with South Africa from a strategic, long-term perspective and will continue to uphold its Africa policy based on sincerity, practical outcomes, mutual respect, and balanced interests.
Li pledged that China would fully implement the agreements reached between the two heads of state, as well as the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit held in Johannesburg the previous December, to further strengthen the China–South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership.
He also stated that the CPC is ready to enhance cooperation and deepen exchanges with the ANC on matters of governance, aiming to support the broader development of bilateral relations.