Xi stressed Beijing's readiness to strengthen party-to-party exchanges and training cooperation with South Africa, including steps to provide assistance for the African National Congress, the country's ruling party, in establishing an African leadership academy.

The two nations should be partners for common development and focus on advancing the joint construction of the Belt and Road, as well as implementing the nine priority projects under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the bilateral plan for 10-year strategic cooperation, the Chinese president said.

Beijing will expand its imports from South Africa and encourage more companies to invest in the African nation, he said.

He proposed making good use of mechanisms like the vocational education alliance to build up cooperation on vocational education and youth employment promotion and to help South Africa train more talent to meet the needs for its growth.

The two nations should be global partners in upholding justice, and China supports South Africa's greater role in international and regional affairs, Xi said.