(Photo : YouTube)

China and South Africa have agreed to cooperate further to boost trade relationships and promote investments between the two sides. 

The Asian giant elevated its relationship with the African nation after South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, ahead of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Ramaphosa's Visit to Elevate Bilateral Relationship

A joint statement issued by both countries after the meeting called Ramaphosa's visit to China significant, and added that it will elevate bilateral relationship between the two sides. 

China, the world's biggest economy is South Africa's largest trading partner, and the meeting between the top leaders is expected to further catalyze this long standing relationship. 

In 2023, bilateral trade between both nations reached $55.62 billion. 

Moreover, 200 Chinese companies have invested in South Africa, creating more than 400,000 local jobs, data from Chinese embassy in South Africa showed. 

During the meeting, Jinping said that China is ready to uplift job creation and promote local job creation in South Africa. 

"Despite the ever-changing international landscape, the missions of both our countries to pursue modernization and promote China-Africa cooperation remain unchanged," Jinping told Ramaphosa.
 
He added: "In the new era and on the new journey, strengthening unity and cooperation between China and South Africa aligns with the shared expectations of the peoples of both countries, resonates with the historical process of the Global South's growth and expansion, and holds significant contemporary relevance and global impact." 

Enhanced Cooperation in Multiple Fields

During the talk, the Chinese president also advocated several areas which both nations can cooperate which includes digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy. 

For his part, Ramaphosa noted that the elevation of bilateral ties between South Africa and China would strengthen the political and economic relationship between both nations, along with benefitting the lives of people in these countries.