President awarded honor for 'great service', efforts to promote countries' friendship

President Xi Jinping received the Order of South Africa on Tuesday in recognition of his efforts to promote friendship between the two countries.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conferred the honor on Xi during a ceremony held at the Union Buildings, the seat of the South African government.

"The people of South Africa salute you President Xi Jinping. And I say congratulations to you for being bestowed this highest honor that South Africa gives to people who have done a great service to the country," Ramaphosa said.

In his acceptance speech, Xi said the honor spoke volumes about the high level of emphasis attached by South Africa to bilateral relations and the friendship of the South African people toward the Chinese people.

The China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership has entered a golden age, as political mutual trust between the two sides continues to deepen, and win-win and pragmatic cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, Xi said.

The two countries have maintained close coordination and cooperation in international affairs, which has effectively promoted their respective development and revitalization, and made positive contributions to safeguarding the common interests of developing countries, he added. "I would like to reiterate that despite all changes in the international landscape, China will remain committed to deepening bilateral friendly cooperation," he said.

"I will treasure this honor, which symbolizes the friendship between the two peoples, and unswervingly push for the continuous development of China-South Africa relations," Xi added.