BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday hailed visiting South African President Jacob Zuma as China’s “good friend”, months after the latter’s government refused the Dalai Lama a visa.
“President Zuma is the Chinese people’s old friend and good friend,” Xi said as he welcomed Zuma on a state visit as trade and political ties between Pretoria and Beijing grow closer. “South Africa is the comprehensive and strategic partner of China in Africa,” said Xi, who visited South Africa in March 2013 as part of his first foreign trip as head of state.
“The two countries are equal, share mutual trust and cooperate on (a) wide range of sectors,” he added. “We are good friends and good brothers that mutually benefit each other.”
Zuma, who is accompanied by a high-profile delegation including ministers for the environment, international relations, trade and energy, transport and finance, responded by thanking Xi for his “warm hospitality” since arriving.
“For me, this is a manifestation of the friendship and solidarity that exists between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa,” Zuma said. China is South Africa’s single largest trading partner, while South Africa is China’s largest trading partner on the continent.
During Zuma’s visit, China announced the signing of a series of agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on nuclear energy cooperation between China National Nuclear Corporation and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation.
China said that the two sides agreed a five-to-10 year strategic programme on cooperation, as well as to improve bilateral cooperation in trade and investment between China’s ministry of commerce and South Africa’s department of trade and industry. AFP
