On March 25, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pretoria for a state visit to South Africa and for the fifth BRICS summit to be held in the port city of Durban on March 26 and 27.
At about 19:45 local time, Xi's special plane arrived at Johannesburg's O. R. Tambo International Airport. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan were warmly greeted by South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana- Mashabane and Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi Gigaba. The Chinese leader afterwards travelled by car to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa.
Xi said in a written speech at the airport that both China and South Africa are major developing countries with important influence, and both are highly dynamic emerging economies. To consolidate and grow China-South Africa relations is not only in the interests of the two peoples, but also conducive to the solidarity and cooperation among the developing countries and to peace and development of the world, he said. "I believe that with efforts made by both sides, my visit will be a success and inject new strong vitality into our comprehensive strategic partnership," Xi said.
Meanwhile, he said that it is of great significance for the BRICS Leaders Meeting to be held for the first time on the African continent along with the first BRICS Leaders-Africa Dialogue Forum. "I look forward to discussing plans of cooperation with leaders of other BRICS countries and African nations. I believe that with concerted efforts of all participants, the meeting will take the solidarity and cooperation of developing countries to a new high," he said.
Xi's entourage including Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu and Yang Jiechi arrived by the same plane.
Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Tian Xuejun also greeted Xi at the airport.
Under the theme of "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialization", the fifth summit of BRICS will be held in the port city of Durban on March 26 and 27. Xi will exchange in-depth views with participating leaders on strengthening the partnership among BRICS countries, deepening the BRICS countries' cooperation with Africa, as well as international and regional issues of common concern.
Xi flew into Johannesburg from Dar es Salaam by special plane after concluding his state visit to Tanzania. Upon leaving Dar es Salaam, Xi attended a grand farewell ceremony held by the Tanzanian government at the airport. He mounted to the inspection platform in the company of President Kikwete and the military band played the national anthems of the two countries. Later, Xi cordially shook hands with and bid farewell to President Kikwete, Vice President Bilal and Prime Minister Pinda. Local people celebrated the success of Xi's visit by singing and dancing.
After visiting South Africa and attending the BRICS summit, Xi will also pay a state visit to the Republic of Congo.