On June 10th, the ruling parties of China and South Africa held a virtual seminar themed coordinating COVID-19 response and economic and social development: exploration and practice of the ruling parties of China and South Africa. The attendees exchanged experience and practices in jointly fighting the pandemic, promoting the resumption of work and production in an orderly manner and poverty alleviation. Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), and Ace Magashule, Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, attended and addressed the opening of the seminar.

Song expressed that General Secretary Xi Jinping and ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa have spoken on the phone twice since the outbreak of COVID-19, and reached important consensus on enhancing medical and health cooperation and advancing China-South Africa relations. The first ever virtual seminar in the course of interaction between the ruling parties of both countries showcases the willingness and determination of the CPC and the ANC to work together to overcome the current difficulties in the context of routine COVID-19 response arrangements. China has made major strategic outcomes in COVID-19 containment, and is striving to achieve the goals of eradicating poverty and completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China has been following closely the development of the pandemic in South Africa and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to South Africa's fight against the virus. China and South Africa should jointly oppose attempts by some countries to politicize the pandemic and stigmatize other countries, so as to maintain the sound momentum of international cooperation in fighting the disease.

Song said that China and South Africa, as two major emerging economies, shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining world stability and promoting common development. The CPC and the ANC, as ruling parties of both countries, should jointly implement the important consensus of the top leaders of both Parties and both countries, deepen strategic communication, strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, and promote cooperation in various fields, so as to promote China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership for new development. Both sides should make efforts to maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and promote world peace and development to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. Song also briefed on relevant information on Hong Kong's national security legislation.

Magashule congratulated China on the successful holding of the NPC and the CPPCC sessions and the adoption of the decision on Hong Kong's national security legislation. He said that while leading the Chinese people in the fight against the epidemic, the CPC has acted in an international humanitarian spirit to help the world, vividly demonstrating the CPC's responsibility and sentiments. The ANC sincerely thanks the CPC for its material assistance and stands ready to learn from China's experience and practices in fighting COVID-19 so as to promote early economic and social recovery and development. The ANC hopes to further strengthen exchanges with the CPC and expand cooperation in such areas as cadre training so as to contribute to the greater development of South Africa-China relations.

The 4-day virtual seminar is an important session under the framework of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting. IDCPC Assistant-minister Li Mingxiang and over 20 senior ANC comrades attended the seminar.

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