China's President Xi Jinping has arrived in South Africa during the late hours of Monday for his fourth official state visit to the nation. This visit is timed to coincide with the 15th BRICS Summit.
Upon his arrival at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport at midnight on Monday, Xi was warmly received with a vibrant cultural song and dance performance, along with an impressive military parade conducted by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The honor of welcoming the Chinese leader was extended by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The upcoming days will see President Ramaphosa hosting President Xi in Pretoria, the executive capital, as a prelude to the BRICS summit scheduled from August 22 to 24.
📸 His Excellency President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China arriving at the OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa for the XV BRICS Summit.
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 21, 2023
President @CyrilRamaphosa is hosting the China State Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane ahead of… pic.twitter.com/zDmUL9FEuR
The BRICS group comprises emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Together, these nations collectively account for a significant quarter of the global economy and house over 40 percent of the world's population.
President Ramaphosa emphasized the historical significance of the diplomatic ties between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China, which span 25 years in 2023. In his weekly column, he noted that the bilateral relationship with China, South Africa's most prominent trade partner, has evolved over the years and reflects a partnership that has matured alongside South Africa's democratic journey.
Acknowledging China's remarkable achievements, Ramaphosa expressed that the nation's development journey serves as an invaluable learning opportunity for South Africa. Notably, China has managed to uplift almost 800 million individuals out of poverty over the course of four decades. As collaborative development partners, both China and South Africa have long recognized the role of trade and investment in elevating the quality of life for their respective populations.
In addition to the bilateral discussions, President Xi will actively participate in the BRICS summit, where the attendance of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also anticipated. This gathering will be graced by the presence of over 30 heads of state and government representatives from various African nations.
However, notable by his absence at the summit is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces international scrutiny and an arrest warrant due to alleged war crimes connected to the situation in Ukraine. Representing Russia in his stead will be Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
In preparation for the summit, President Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa will not be coerced into taking sides with any global power. In a televised State of the Nation address, he stated that South Africa refuses to be swayed into aligning with any particular global power or influential blocs, opting instead for an independent and balanced stance.
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