Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks here while meeting with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor.
During the meeting, Wang said the BRICS mechanism is the most important platform for representatives of emerging markets and major developing countries to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, as well as the most important channel for strategic communication in the Global South.
China fully supports South Africa as the BRICS chair in hosting the 15th BRICS Summit and actively responds to the strong call of relevant countries to participate in BRICS cooperation, Wang said, calling for efforts to further strengthen BRICS cooperation, practice multilateralism and provide more stability to a world full of uncertainties.
In the post-pandemic era, the two sides should work together to push forward the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership towards higher quality, wider areas and deeper levels, and continue to serve as a model of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, Wang said.
China stands ready to continue to support each other with South Africa, forge stronger synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, and expand cooperation in fields including key minerals, digital economy, clean energy, environmental protection industries, marine resources development and poverty reduction, Wang said.
For her part, Pandor said South Africa-China relations continue to operate at a high level. She expressed her thanks to China for helping South Africa and other African countries fight the COVID-19 pandemic and boost economic and social development.
BRICS is facing important opportunities for development and growth, and South Africa is willing to communicate closely with China and other BRICS members to ensure the BRICS Summit delivers fruitful outcomes, Pandor said.
The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
China launches scientific survey of Yellow River basin
BEIJING, July 25 (Xinhua) — China has kicked off a comprehensive scientific survey of the Yellow River basin, according to the China Science Daily on Tuesday.
The survey, organized by Chang’an University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, aims to provide scientific data and policy advice to support high-quality development of the Yellow River basin through systematic research on water, soil, air and biology.
The researchers in the survey team will obtain ecological background data, geological and hydrological background data, economic and social background data, and cultural background data of the Yellow River basin through modern observation systems and technical methods, the newspaper said.
The survey will provide administrative organs with reports and advice covering fields such as ecology, hydrology, geology, geomorphology, disaster prevention, transportation and tourism.
The survey team consists of three squads, that are scheduled to return to Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, on August 4.
The Yellow River is dubbed a “mother river” in China. Continued efforts have been invested in ecological protection along the river in recent years, with the Yellow River Protection Law coming into effect on April 1, 2023.