Xi's special envoy salutes S. African president

Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Hao Mingjin attended the inauguration ceremony of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday, conveying Xi's sincere congratulations and good wishes to Ramaphosa, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Hao, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, met with Ramaphosa after the inauguration.

Hao delivered him a signed letter by Xi, saying China is willing to strengthen its strategic coordination with South Africa and promote bilateral cooperation in various fields.

For his part, Ramaphosa thanked Xi for sending an envoy to attend his inauguration and asked Hao to convey his warm greetings to Xi. Ramaphosa said the relations between South Africa and China are special, and that he and Xi share the common mission of creating a better life for people in their respective countries.

Ramaphosa also said he looks forward to working with Xi to plan and create a new era for bilateral relations.

During Saturday's ceremony, Ramaphosa vowed a "new era" after he was sworn in as president of South Africa in the country's capital city, as he looks to revitalize his push to revive the economy and fight corruption, Agence France-Presse reported.

"A new era has dawned in our country. A brighter day is rising upon South Africa," said Ramaphosa, promising that the nation was beginning "a new era of hope and renewal".

"This is a defining moment for a young nation like ours. It is a time for us to make the future that we yearn for," added the 66-year-old.

The former trade unionist played a prominent part in the struggle to end white-minority rule - at one point seen as a protege of Nelson Mandela - before becoming a successful businessman and serving as vice-president to former president Jacob Zuma.

On Saturday he pledged "to build the South Africa that we all want and deserve.

"Let us forge a compact for an efficient, capable and ethical state, a state that is free from corruption."

Foreign heads of state from more than 40 countries were among 36,000 people who witnessed the inauguration event replete with pomp, military honors and an air force flyover at a rugby stadium in Pretoria.

(China Daily 05/27/2019 page11)