Beijing, June 23rd — Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Paul Mashatile, Deputy President of the African National Congress (ANC) and Deputy President of South Africa. 

Liu said that although China and South Africa are separated by vast oceans, the two countries share a common destiny. The special friendship of "comrades and brothers" between the two countries dates back to the period of their respective struggles for national liberation, to their mutual support in advancing national development, and to their solidarity in the pursuit of international fairness and justice. President Xi Jinping has paid four state visits to South Africa, working with President Cyril Ramaphosa to guide bilateral relations into a "Golden Era." The CPC is ready to work with the ANC to implement the series of important consensuses reached by the two heads of state, maintain regular strategic communication, firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, deepen the exchange of experience in state governance and cooperation on cadre training, promote practical cooperation across all sectors through the "political party+" platform, and strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral platforms, so as to drive the China-South Africa all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era to greater development and accelerate the building of a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future. Liu also briefed the guest on the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building and on the CPC's efforts to strengthen its own building. 

Mashatile said he sincerely congratulated China on the tremendous development achievements made under the leadership of the CPC and General Secretary Xi Jinping. He thanked China for its support and assistance to South Africa and for its zero-tariff treatment for all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. South Africa firmly upholds the one-China principle and stands ready to work with China to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen people-to-people exchanges and advance cooperation across all fields. The signing of the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development is an important milestone in the history of South Africa-China relations. South Africa stands ready to work with China to strengthen practical cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, artificial intelligence, mineral processing and automobile manufacturing, so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples. At a time when the international situation is marked by change and turbulence, South Africa supports the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to enhance multilateral cooperation with China to jointly address global challenges. The ANC cherishes its brotherly ties with the CPC and stands ready to further strengthen inter-party exchanges and cooperation, deepen the sharing of experience in party governance and state governance, and better advance relations between the two Parties and the two countries. 

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

Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, South African Ambassador to China, and Zuko Godlimpi, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, attended the meeting.