"South Africa-China Ties: Deputy President Mashatile Meets with Chinese Counterpart to Strengthen Bilateral Relations"

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile met with His Excellency Gao Yunlong, Vice-Chairman of the 14th National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairman of the All-China Federation on Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), at the O.R Tambo Official Residence in Pretoria on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Their discussion focused on strengthening bilateral relations between South Africa and China, particularly in the areas of:

- Economic Partnership: Mashatile emphasized the need for their economic partnership to reflect the recent elevation of diplomatic relations to an All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in a New Era. He called on China to work with South Africa to change the trade structure and diversify market access for value-added products to address the concerning trade deficit.

- Sectoral Cooperation: The two leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as:

    - Health: Mashatile highlighted the significant role China's support plays in advancing health cooperation, an area where both sides have made meaningful progress.

    - Automotive and Energy: They aimed to promote local job creation, technology transfer, and skills development in these sectors.

- Global Development: With South Africa set to host the G20 Summit in November 2025, Mashatile emphasized the importance of China's role as a global development partner. President Xi Jinping's visit to South Africa for the summit is expected to be a significant occasion for South Africa's Presidency of the G20, themed "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability"

The Deputy President said: “Our economic partnership must reflect this elevation. We continue to call on China to work with South Africa in changing the trade structure and diversifying market access for value-added products to close the concerning trade deficit.”

Discussions also focused on enhancing cooperation in health, the automotive and energy sectors, which will contribute to local job creation, technology, skills transfer, transformation, and skills development. 

“It is essential to underscore the significant role that China’s support plays in advancing health cooperation, an area where both sides have made meaningful progress in fostering collaboration. This partnership continues to be a vital aspect of our growing bilateral relations,” Mashatile.

With South Africa preparing to host the G20 Summit in November 2025, the Deputy President emphasised the importance of China's role as a global development partner.

"President Xi Jinping's visit to South Africa for the G20 Summit in November of this year will be a momentous occasion for South Africa's Presidency of the G20, under the theme "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," said Deputy President Mashatile. 

Meanwhile, the Deputy President Mashatile was supported by the Acting Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau.