President Xi Has Telephonic Conversation with South African President

On the evening of April 8, President Xi Jinping spoke with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the phone.

Xi noted that “comradeship plus brotherhood” is what characterizes the special friendship between the two countries. He reaffirmed China’s firm support to South Africa in fighting COVID-19. China is prepared to help where it can in light of South Africa’s needs, including sharing epidemic control experience and strengthening medical and health care cooperation.

Xi underscored that

China has been closely monitoring the situation in Africa and has provided batches of assistance supplies to the African Union and all African countries with diplomatic ties to China. Chinese and African medical experts held multiple video conferences to exchange experience, and many Chinese businesses, localities, and non-governmental agencies have been actively donating medical supplies to Africa.

Ramaphosa commended China’s strong and effective steps in bringing the outbreak under control and described them as exemplary for other countries to learn from. He said, China’s valuable assistance to South Africa and other African countries in fighting the virus during this testing time is of great importance and has strengthened Africa’s confidence.