STORY: Xi calls on China, S. Africa to strengthen four partnerships in golden era
DATELINE: Aug. 23, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:49
LOCATION: PRETORIA, South Africa
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Chinese President Xi Jinping paying a state visit to South Africa 
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): FIKILE MBALULA, Secretary General of the African National Congress
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MAROPENE RAMOKGOPA, Minister in Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, South Africa
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANIL SOOKLAL, South Africa's BRICS Sherpa
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): DAVID MONYAE, Director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg

STORYLINE:

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and South Africa to strengthen their partnerships in four dimensions during his state visit to the African nation.

Ahead of his arrival, Xi says in his signed article published in South African media that the blossoming China-South Africa relationship "has entered a 'golden era,' enjoying broad prospects and a promising future."

Xi says China is ready to work with South Africa to carry forward friendship, deepen cooperation and strengthen coordination

China and South Africa have agreed to work together to push bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and build a high-level community with a shared future for the two countries.

Xi calls on both sides to be strategic partners of high-level mutual trust, development partners for common progress, friendly partners of deep mutual understanding and goodwill, as well as global partners that safeguard justice

The two leaders agree to push for greater development of the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.

Xi says that Beijing is ready to join the developing world in increasing the representation and voice of the Global South countries in global governance.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): FIKILE MBALULA, Secretary General of the African National Congress
"To us, the visit of President Xi Jinping is very important, and (especially) in enhancing and strengthening bilateral relations and trade relations between the two countries. This visit opens those possibilities in terms of the two countries."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MAROPENE RAMOKGOPA, Minister in Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, South Africa
"We are really excited that South Africa, obviously to have a state visit, in particular of President Xi Jinping. China has continually invested so much into infrastructure development in the entire continent. Most of our continent, if you compare 10 years ago to what it is today, you see a lot of high-rise buildings, but most of all, you do know that when you invest in infrastructure, you definitely invest in job creation."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANIL SOOKLAL, South Africa's BRICS Sherpa
"President Xi is here on the 25th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between South Africa and China. Very strong relationship, very strategic partnership that we have between the two countries, and how we can continue to expand and build on this strong partnership we have."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): DAVID MONYAE, Director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg
"Under his (President Xi's) leadership, I think we've seen a strengthening of the relationship between China and South Africa and the rest of the African continent."

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): PHILIP MARX, South African citizen
"I expect that we should have good cooperation between South Africa and China."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Pretoria, South Africa.
(XHTV)