China and South Africa have called for closer cooperation between countries of the Global South

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held telephone talks with his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola. The two ministers agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation between the countries of the Global South and jointly promote multilateralism.

Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, congratulated the ruling African National Congress (ANC) on its 114th anniversary. He expressed confidence that South Africa, under the leadership of the ANC, would be able to unite, face external pressures and achieve further national development and reconstruction.

He said China was ready to maintain intensive high-level contacts with South Africa, expand bilateral cooperation, strengthen strategic mutual trust and further deepen practical cooperation. Wang Yi also said China will facilitate the implementation of its zero-tariff measures for Africa and promote South Africa's economic development for the benefit of local people.

He said the two countries should also push for the successful implementation of the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges, thus further strengthening the social foundations of China-South Africa and China-Africa friendship.

Wang Yi also recalled that South Africa had successfully hosted the G20 Leaders' Summit last year despite external pressures and expressed his appreciation for this success.

Ronald Lamola welcomed the fact that the Chinese Foreign Minister started his foreign activities this year with a visit to Africa and thanked China for its support in hosting the G20 Summit and for its long-term assistance in the economic and social development of African countries, including South Africa.

He also reaffirmed South Africa's consistent adherence to the one-China principle and stressed his willingness to further strengthen political trust with China, expand practical cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges and deepen multilateral coordination. The aim is to continue to develop an all-round strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries in the new era.

Lamola said South Africa is ready to work with China to promote multilateralism, protect the central role of the UN and defend international justice and fairness.

The two sides also exchanged views on current international and regional issues of common interest.

CMG