JOHANNESBURG, Nov 24 (NNN-SANEWS) — Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s office has described his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Johannesburg as an opportunity to further South Africa’s strategic goals in trade, investment, industrialisation, multilateral cooperation, and governance, while also strengthening political and diplomatic relations with China.
“During the meeting, Deputy President Mashatile emphasised South Africa’s readiness to expand value-added exports, attract greater Chinese investment in beneficiation, manufacturing, renewable energy and digital sectors, integrating South African firms into Chinese and global value chains for inclusive growth and job creation, especially for the youth,” the Presidency said in a statement.
After President Ramaphosa’s State Visit and Mashatile’s visit to China in July 2025, this high-level engagement aimed to strengthen and enhance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.
G20 leaders have reached an overwhelming consensus to adopt the declaration during the G20 Leaders’ Summit held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
Mashatile expressed gratitude for China’s substantial financial and developmental support for South Africa’s G20 Presidency and its other initiatives.
South Africa’s second-in-command expressed gratitude for China’s support, highlighting its generous donations of R5.34 million to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, as well as an additional R36.8 million to support South Africa’s G20 Presidency and Summit.
During a meeting with Ramaphosa on Friday, before the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Li expressed Beijing’s readiness to partner with Pretoria in protecting the multilateral trading system and advancing the prompt implementation of a zero-tariff policy for South African products.
In China, the Premier is the highest administrative position in the government of China and heads the State Council, and is responsible for organising and administering the Chinese civil bureaucracy.
South Africa is set to participate in the 4th Session of the South Africa-China High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM) and the 13th South Africa-China Strategic Dialogue, both taking place in Beijing in December 2025.
Following this, in March 2026, South Africa will host China for the Bi-National Commission (BNC). — NNN-SANEWS
