PRESIDENT Xi Jinping of China on Wednesday met with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa and proposed stepping up bilateral cooperation in the areas of the new economy and interaction to counter unilateralism and protectionism.

Xi is currently on a state visit to South Africa, where he will also take part in the 10th annual BRICS summit in Johannesburg, which will kick off later in the day and last until Friday.

“Currently, it has been a turning point in Chinese-South African relations. I would like to put forward a number of proposals aimed at deepening and developing a strategic partnership between our countries.

“The sides should strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, deepen contacts and cooperation in the area of the new economy and emerging sectors, jointly use opportunities for development which the Fourth Industrial Revolution brings with,” Xi said in Pretoria.

Xi also called for closer cooperation in such international formats as the Group of Twenty (G20), BRICS, the UN to jointly “protect multilateralism, counter the policy of unilateral actions and protectionism, promote development of more just world order.”

The president stressed that China was ready to focus on cooperation on key infrastructure projects, high technology, trade and investment, banking and finance sector, as well as exert efforts to help the South African government in promoting economic development and creating new jobs to improve living standards of the country’s population.

BRICS is an international platform comprising emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which is aimed at enhancing cooperation in multiple areas between the member states.

The jubilee BRICS summit takes place under the theme “BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” (Sputnik/NAN)

– Jul. 25, 2018 @ 10:45 GMT |