Walk hand in hand on the right path of mutual improvement and win-win cooperation-written on the occasion of President Xi Jinping's upcoming 15th BRICS leaders' meeting and state visit to South Africa to promote | leaders | Africa | mechanism | Xi Jinping | China-Africa | development | cooperation | countries | BRICS

Africa, a continent known as full of hope, once again welcomes distant VIPs.

Currently, changes in the world, times, and history are unfolding in unprecedented ways, and seeking development and cooperation has become the common pursuit of developing countries.

Writing a New Chapter in the Development of BRICS

Developing the BRICS partnership and building the BRICS cooperation mechanism well.

This is a banner of the BRICS summit filmed on August 17th in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 15th meeting of BRICS leaders will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Cheng

Kokushkina, a scholar at St. Petersburg State University in Russia, stated that China leads the practice of the concept of equality and mutual benefit in BRICS cooperation, and plays a major role in balancing and stabilizing international relations.

The road is solid and far, and one can reach it by practicing diligently; Although things may be great, if they are firm, they will surely succeed. With China's active participation and full promotion, BRICS cooperation has upgraded from a "dual wheel drive" in politics and economy to a "three wheel drive" in political security, economic, trade, finance, and cultural exchanges, promoting the acceleration and shift of BRICS cooperation mechanisms, and effectively boosting the voice and influence of emerging market countries and developing countries.

The intelligent car models made in China will be exhibited at the 2021 BRICS New Industrial Revolution Exhibition. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lin Shan

——We have achieved results such as the BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy 2025, the BRICS Digital Economy Partnership Framework, and the BRICS Initiative to Strengthen Supply Chain Cooperation. The emergency reserve arrangement mechanism has been continuously improved, promoting the establishment of a new industrial revolution partnership and a scientific and technological innovation cooperation framework, injecting BRICS forces into promoting global common development.

——Holding the "BRICS+" Foreign Ministers' Dialogue and the High Representative Meeting on Security Affairs, establishing a regular consultation mechanism for permanent representatives in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, deepening cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the G20. BRICS countries actively strengthen their position coordination on major international and regional issues, issuing a "BRICS strong voice" to uphold international fairness and justice, and build an equal and orderly multipolar world, injecting stability and positive energy into the world.

——Holding high-end media forums, film festivals, cultural festivals, and women's innovation competitions in the BRICS countries, establishing the BRICS Vocational Education Alliance... Cultural activities are rich and diverse, and BRICS cooperation is committed to creating a grand pattern of cross regional and cross-cultural exchanges, providing a "BRICS model" for inclusiveness and mutual learning among different civilizations.

The contestants competed in the 2022 "the Belt and Road" and "General Technology Cup" CNC Multi axis Machining Competition of BRICS Skills Development and Technological Innovation. Photo by Yang Qing, journalist from Xinhua News Agency

According to Marcella Bella, an advisor to the United Nations Development Programme, BRICS cooperation provides much-needed leadership for global development, in which China plays an important role. Cuban President Diaz Canel said that BRICS cooperation provides a choice for establishing a more fair and just international economic order, which is conducive to achieving peace and development, and safeguarding international security.

Jointly creating new opportunities for friendship between China and Africa

On the eve of the opening of the third China Africa Economic and Trade Expo, South African Ambassador to China Xie Shengwen launched an online broadcast at the "Africa Good Things Online Shopping Festival" held in Changsha, promoting local specialties with great enthusiasm, featuring the unique taste of South African national treasure tea Dr. Tea, uniquely shaped African drums, and bright and beautiful flamingo models. In Xie Shengwen's view, the continuous deepening of South China economic and trade cooperation is due to the firm mutual trust relationship between the two countries.

On July 2, 2023, at the Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center, visitors entered the exhibition venue of the China Africa Economic and Trade Expo. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Sihan

"Comrades plus brothers" is a symbol of the special friendly relationship between China and South Africa. In the common struggle against imperialism, colonialism, and racism, the two peoples have formed a deep friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 25 years ago, the relationship between the two countries has continuously upgraded from a partnership to a strategic partnership and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership, moving towards the grand vision of building a high-level community with a shared future between China and South Korea.

In recent years, the leaders of the two countries have held frequent meetings and communications on bilateral and multilateral occasions, as well as in "cloud diplomacy", leading to the continuous deepening of practical cooperation in various fields between China and South Korea. In the first half of this year, the trade volume between China and South Africa reached 28.25 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 11.7%. China has remained the largest trading partner of South Africa for 14 consecutive years, and South Africa is also China's largest trading partner in Africa. President Ramaphosa expressed that South Africa highly values the strong and high-level strategic partnership between South and China, and is deeply proud of it. South China cooperation benefits Africa.

Assembly photo: The above picture shows a worker displaying a wig at the exhibition hall of Hunan Shaoyang Sunshine Hair Products Co., Ltd. on May 25, 2023; The following picture shows a salesperson displaying a wig at the store of Hunan Shaoyang Sunshine Hair Products Co., Ltd. located in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 9, 2023. Shen Jizhong

Nowadays, China South relations have become a model of China Africa relations, South South cooperation, and solidarity and cooperation among emerging market countries. It is of great demonstrative significance for building a community with a shared future between China and Africa in the new era, and for building a new type of international relations that respect each other, promote fairness and justice, and achieve win-win cooperation.

In the past decade, China and Africa have continued to deepen cooperation on mechanisms and platforms such as the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" and the Forum for China Africa Cooperation. The achievements cover many areas such as economy and trade, infrastructure, and people's livelihood, and have promoted the building of a community of shared future between China and Africa in the new era to continue to go deeper and more practical, and continue to benefit the people of both sides.

China and Africa have cooperated in the construction of over 10000 kilometers of railways and nearly 100000 kilometers of roads, and a large number of important infrastructure such as airports, docks, bridges, and power stations have been completed and put into use; China has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. In 2022, the bilateral trade volume between China and Africa reached 282 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%... The impressive achievements of China Africa cooperation not only drive Africa's development and revitalization, but also create more favorable conditions for international cooperation with Africa.

The commodity vehicle is waiting for loading at the No. 8 dock of Qingdao Port Dagang Company in Shandong Port. The large roll on/roll off cargo ship "Chensheng" docked at the No. 8 dock of Qingdao Port Dagang Company in Shandong Port, transporting over 1900 commercial vehicles of various types to Africa. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ziheng

China Africa economy and trade have become a new highlight of China Africa cooperation. More and more products from African countries are becoming well-known and beloved by Chinese consumers, and new energy vehicles, mechanical equipment, and popular clothing from China are also integrated into the daily lives of African people. According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, the import and export trade volume between China and Africa reached 822.32 billion yuan in the first five months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 16.4%. From traditional industries such as agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing, to new industries such as green development, healthcare, finance, and digital innovation, the fields of China Africa economic and trade cooperation are becoming increasingly broad.

Opening up a New Future of South South Cooperation

"We believe this is the future," said a participant from South Africa during the 15th BRICS Academic Forum held in Cape Town, South Africa in May this year, describing her vision of BRICS cooperation.

The number of countries hoping to join the BRICS mechanism continues to increase, and the attractiveness of the BRICS has become a global focus of attention. South African Foreign Minister Pandor said on the 7th that South Africa has invited 67 leaders of African countries and "global southern" countries to attend the "BRICS Africa" meeting and the "BRICS+" dialogue. In addition, 20 leaders of international and regional organizations, including the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Chairman of the African Union Commission, will also be invited to attend the conference.

The BRICS cooperation mechanism has received widespread attention, reflecting the common demands of developing countries to focus on their own development, seek unity and cooperation, and oppose external interference. Since the beginning of this year, there has been a wave of "reconciliation" in the Middle East region, with "ceasefire", "resumption of diplomatic relations", "reconciliation", and "development" becoming regional buzzwords; The first South American leaders conference was successfully held, and regional countries joined hands to restart the process of South American integration; The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement has come into full effect, ASEAN continues to expand cooperation and opening up, and regional economic integration has added momentum... Developing countries are showing a new picture of collective rise, issuing a magnificent voice to improve global governance, advocate multilateralism, and pursue fairness and justice.

The headquarters building of the BRICS New Development Bank is located in the World Expo Park in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Fang Zhe

Creatively proposing and implementing the "BRICS+" model, clearly supporting and promoting the expansion process of BRICS countries, promoting the establishment of the BRICS New Development Bank, creating the BRICS New Industrial Revolution Partnership Xiamen Innovation Base, establishing the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Center, and clarifying the principle of openness... As a natural member of the "Global South", China has always focused on the most urgent practical needs of developing countries, committed to building a new platform for South South cooperation, and providing opportunities for developing countries to participate in the international stage and improve global governance.

Although the economic and political structures and development paths of the BRICS member countries are different, they have worked together to forge a path of common development that is harmonious but different, and shared by the United States and the United States. The BRICS mechanism exhibits a high degree of inclusiveness and openness towards various development models, social systems, and modernization paths, which is in line with the expectations of developing countries for a more fair and beautiful future. The BRICS mechanism conforms to the trend of development of the times, conforms to the wishes of most countries, and represents the correct direction of progress.

This is a photo taken on August 10th in De'a Town, North Cape Province, South Africa, of the De'a wind power project operated by China National Energy Group Longyuan Power South Africa Company. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Dong Jianghui

Mukhtar Gobash, Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Center for Arab Political and Strategic Studies, said that the reason why the BRICS mechanism is so attractive is because it provides "unconditional development opportunities" for countries. Anna Garcia, Director of the BRICS Policy Research Center in Brazil, said, "The further development of the BRICS mechanism will inevitably open up a new vision for cooperation in the 'global South'."

Looking forward to the future, China will forge ahead with its global partners, cooperate sincerely, forge ahead bravely, continue to promote high-quality co construction of the "the Belt and Road", work together to implement the global development initiative, the global security initiative, and the global civilization initiative, promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, and jointly create a better future for mankind.

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