South Africa's economy faces uncertain future
China vows help
China has provided continuous help to South Africa in the fight against the virus. On April 8, President Xi Jinping talked with Ramaphosa by phone and pledged to provide assistance as requested, share pandemic control experience and strengthen public health cooperation with the African nation.
Medical supplies donated by China arrived at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on April 14.
More donations, including face masks, disposable protective clothing and forehead thermometers from the Chinese authorities and organizations followed.
The Chinese embassy in Pretoria recently handed 20,000 surgical masks and 2,000 medical gloves donated by the China Medical Association of Minorities to the South African government.
Since April, the Chinese government has also invited the country's medical experts to share with South African officials and health workers China's experiences and best practices in fighting the pandemic, including treating coronavirus patients, controlling the spread of the virus in communities and using big data technology to track potential patients.
Agencies contributed to this story.