Second visit in 3 years shows confidence in continent
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday began his state visit to South Africa as the two countries are expected to upgrade economic cooperation and consolidate political trust, which analysts say would also serve as a model for better China-Africa ties. [Special coverage]
The China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership is witnessing rapid development, and relations between the two countries have entered the best times in history, Xi said upon his arrival in Prestoria after concluding a two-day visit in Zimbabwe.
Xi said he expects to have in-depth talks with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest, and push the comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.
A large number of agreements will be signed covering various fields of collaboration, according to the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
China-South Africa relations have become one of the most dynamic and important bilateral ties and now stands at a new historic starting point, with both sides keen to strengthen cooperation, Xi wrote in a signed piece published on South African newspaper The Star on Tuesday.
He emphasized that the two countries will seek to bring about concrete benefits to their people by pushing forward cooperation in key areas such as marine resources and products, energy, infrastructure, manpower development and finance.
Xi's visit - the second in less than three years - is significant among bilateral ties, Tian Xuejun, Chinese ambassador to South Africa, told China National Radio.
The visit is expected to further boost the economic development of both China and South Africa whose economies are complementary, but will also upgrade Sino-African ties, analysts said.
"South Africa's economic structure remains unitary, while China's economy faces downward pressure with overcapacity. Both can benefit if China can transfer its overcapacity to South Africa to help it industrialize," said Li Zhibiao, a research fellow at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Cooperation potential
Li added that the South African economy, with its rapid growth and vitality, can also become a new point of world economic growth against the backdrop of the global economic downturn.
An Yongyu, a Beijing-based expert on African studies and a former diplomat in Africa, told the Global Times that there is great cooperation potential for China and South Africa from traditional natural resources to logistics and marine cooperation, which will also meet China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative.
Businessmen from some 100 Chinese companies have joined Xi in South Africa, ranging from basic infrastructure and telecommunication to finance and manufacturing, China News Service (CNS) reported.
Some of those companies will also participate in an equipment manufacturing exhibition in Johannesburg, which would be the debut for the most technologically advanced Chinese companies in Africa, CNS reported.
Also traveling with Xi is Internet TV giant Letv, which announced on Wednesday the launch of a tie-up with South Africa on cloud commuting and mobile applications, according to news portal Netease.
"China-Africa cooperation used to focus on manpower and traditional industries, now it has been upgraded to high-tech industries. Training sessions offered to local people are also technology-related, in the hope that they can help with their countries' development," Shen Yushun, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times.
'Trustworthy friend'
Xi's visit to South Africa went far beyond bilateral relations, serving as a bellwether for better relations between China and other African countries as well as other BRICS nations, Shen noted.
Xi will also chair the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on Friday and Saturday.
China's rising investments in Africa are not a threat to the continent but a boost to the region's self-development, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shen Danyang said Wednesday in response to questions over China's motives. "The accusations of a 'Chinese menace' and 'neo-colonialism' are completely unfounded and few people believe that," said Shen.
China-Africa cooperation highlights
China-Africa trade (2014): $222 billion, 21 times that of 2000
China investment to Africa in the past 15 years: $30 billion, 60 times that of 2000
China-South Africa trade (2014): $60.3 billion;
New areas of cooperation: manufacturing, finance, tourism, telecom, aviation, broadcasting
