Ramaphosa said tourism and energy cooperation also holds “great promise” and will be an important topic of discussion.“With the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, China is an important source for tourism. It is significant that the number of visitors from China in June 2023 was four times higher than the same time last year,” he said.Ramaphosa also related that South African Tourism believes that Chinese tourism will be back to normal by 2026.
“We’re actively promoting our country to Chinese tourists at events like the China International Import Expo and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. More direct flights between South Africa and China are also on the rise,” he said.Ramaphosa also added that South Africa was moreso looking to learn from China in terms of its development path.
“Among other achievements, China has lifted nearly 800 million people out of poverty over a 40 year period…South Africa is eager to deepen its collaboration within the frameworks of China’s common prosperity doctrine and strategy and our own National Development Plan and Economic Reconstruction and Development Plan,” he said.