Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor in Johannesburg on Monday, July 24.

Wang said that the BRICS mechanism represents emerging markets. He said it is the most important platform for large developing countries to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, and the vital channel of strategic communication among the “Global South.”

China fully supports South Africa in organizing the 15th BRICS Summit as the BRICS Chair and will actively respond to the strong call of the countries concerned to participate in BRICS cooperation, make a stronger BRICS voice, promote BRICS cooperation to a new level, safeguard the common interests of the BRICS countries, safeguard international fairness and justice, and safeguard world stability, Wang added.

Wang also stated that China and South Africa have a long history of friendship. In the post-pandemic period, the two countries should continue to be a model of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries and open up broader prospects for the development of China-South Africa relations.

China is willing to work with South Africa to continue to support each other, restart exchanges at all levels, strengthen communication under the Belt and Road Initiative and South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, and expand cooperation in areas such as the digital economy, clean energy, environmental protection, and poverty reduction.

Pandor said that the South Africa-China relationship continues to run at a high level. South Africa was thankful to China for helping South Africa and other African countries to deal with the pandemic and promote economic and social development.

BRICS countries are facing tremendous opportunities for development and growth, and South Africa is willing to communicate closely with China and other BRICS members to ensure that the BRICS leaders’ meeting achieves fruitful results and pushes BRICS cooperation to a new level, she said.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.