Ramaphosa: GNU committed to ‘progressive internationalism’
Updated | By Mmangaliso Khumalo
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that the government of national unity will continue to prioritise a better Africa at the heart of its foreign policy.
Speaking at the China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing, Ramaphosa emphasised South Africa's commitment to progressive internationalism and highlighted shared objectives with China in advancing the interests of Africa and the Global South.
China is South Africa's largest trading partner globally, while South Africa is China’s number one trading partner in Africa.
Total bilateral trade grew from R614 billion in 2022 to R692 billion in 2023.
“The newly formed Government of National Unity continues to place the achievement of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the pursuit of a better Africa and world at the centre of our foreign policy,” the president said.
“As our history demands, South Africa will continue to pursue progressive internationalism. We remain firmly committed to the One China Policy”.
Ramaphosa’s remarks on the One China Policy come as Beijing aggressively seeks to exclude Taiwan—a self-governing island of more than 23 million people—from international forums and rejects its claims to autonomy.
“I am confident that we will have the opportunity to openly exchange views on many issues regarding our political, economic and technical cooperation as outlined in the 10-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation,” Ramaphosa said, adding that South Africa has witnessed an increase in its bilateral trade with China.
Beijing has said this week's China-Africa forum will be its largest diplomatic event since the Covid-19 pandemic, with Ramaphosa joining leaders of Nigeria, Kenya and other nations in Beijing.
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