Welcome to another episode of the GT Podcast with Mulan – a one-stop shop for the Global Times’ take on top China and global news.

In today’s podcast:

During a state visit to South Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that standing at a new historical starting point, China and South Africa will work to deepen bilateral cooperation.
 
The BRICS Summit has garnered global attention. Why is BRICS so important for the world? Anil Sooklal, South Africa's ambassador at large for Asia and BRICS Sherpa, shares his views.
 
US commerce secretary is set to visit China from August 27 to 30, in another positive signal for growing talks between Chinese and US officials. And Washington has been urged to show its sincerity.
 
US President Joe Biden finally visited Maui this week amid one of the deadliest wildfires in US history, but that did not cover up the US government’s incompetence in responding to natural disasters.
 
On Qixi, or Chinese Valentine's Day, which has been around for over 2,000 years, young Chinese return to traditional ways of celebration, instead of commercial activities.