For his part, Ramaphosa thanked Xi for his close attention and support to South Africa-China science and technology cooperation, noting the fruitful results from bilateral cooperation in recent years.

The South Africa-China Scientists High Level Dialogue demonstrated the two countries' resolution in promoting growth through science and technology innovation, and their cooperation potential in this field, he said.

The South African government is committed to strengthening science and technology innovative cooperation, so as to better cope with the fourth industrial revolution, Ramaphosa said, stressing that China is a reliable science and research cooperation partner to his country.

He also thanked China for its commitment in helping Africa's development and in promoting the Africa-China science and technology innovative cooperation under the framework of the FOCAC.

Xi and Ramaphosa together toured a photo exhibition of the achievements in China-South Africa science and technology innovative cooperation before the opening ceremony of the dialogue.

Among the exhibits were photos of Africa's flagship projects in science and technology, South Africa and China's respective science and technology achievements and their cooperation results.

The two leaders listened to the introduction of the South African Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope project, which is a major project involving multinational scientists including those from China, and a major bilateral science and technology cooperation project between China and South Africa.

They encouraged scientists from both countries to continue making efforts to smoothly complete the SKA project.

The two presidents also witnessed the first vehicle rolling off the line from Beijing Automobile Works' investment project in South Africa through a video link.

Xi arrived in Pretoria on Monday to pay his third state visit to the "rainbow nation."

South Africa is the fourth stop of Xi's five-nation Middle East and Africa tour, which has taken him to the United Arab Emirates, Senegal and Rwanda. He will also visit Mauritius during a stopover.