By Levy Masiteng
President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his warmest compliments to the government and the people of China on the commencement of the Lunar New Year of the Snake on Wednesday.
This significant occasion marks the beginning of a new cycle in the Chinese calendar.
2025 is called the Year of the Snake, because the snake is the sixth animal of the Chinese zodiac cycle, symbolising wisdom, transformation and adaptability.
Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of strengthening ties between South Africa and China, highlighting the strategic partnership and cooperation in trade and investment.
“We wish that the New Year will bring continued success to our Chinese trade and investment partners who are making an important contribution to our economy,” he said in a statement,
“We extend our good wishes to the Chinese community in South Africa including Chinese citizens who live in or are currently visiting our beautiful country.”
According to Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, SA was confident that under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, China would continue to thrive as a global force for good and a source of wisdom and shared prosperity.
Ramaphosa ‘s words echoed the sentiments of previous years, where he has consistently emphasised the significance of this relationship.
“May the celebration of Spring and the rebirth of nature be a symbol of the blossoming of even closer relations between our two nations under our All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in a new era.” he said.
China is South Africa’s largest trading partner.
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