President Xi Jinping hailed visiting South African President Jacob Zuma yesterday as China’s “good friend”, months after Zuma’s government refused the Dalai Lama a visa.
“President Zuma is the Chinese people’s old friend and good friend,” Xi said yesterday 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 last year 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.
