Media Statement
2 November 2023
Deputy President Paul Mashatile attends Eight South Africa-China Bi-national Commission and China International Import Expo in China, 3-6 November 2023
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has arrived in the People’s Republic of China, where he is hosted by his counterpart and the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Han Zheng, for the Eight Session of the South Africa-China Bi-national Commission (BNC) taking place in Beijing on Friday, 3 November 2023.
The Deputy President will be in China from 3 to 6 November 2023. During the second leg of his visit, the Deputy President will open the China International Import Expo (CIIE), in Shanghai.
During these meetings, the Deputy President will be keen to communicate the message that South Africa is open for business, and that it is the most attractive investment destination in the African continent.
During his visit, it is envisaged that the Deputy President will pay courtesy calls on the President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency President Xi Jinping, to reaffirm the strong political ties with China, as well as on the State Council Premier, Li Qiang, to exchange views on the expanding economic relations between South Africa and China.
The Deputy President is also expected to engage a Representative of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Mayors of Shanghai and Shenzhen Provinces.
The Eight SA-China BNC occurs within the context of celebrating 25 years of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, while historic ties date back to the Bandung Conference of 1955. It also follows shortly after the successful Fourth State Visit to South Africa by President Xi, and the recent XV BRICS Summit and China-Africa Roundtable from 22 to 24 August 2023, in Johannesburg.
Other high-level engagements that took place this year include: the People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM), in February 2023; the Strategic Dialogue, in May 2023; and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETC), in August 2023.
All these engagements, including the Deputy President’s visit, contribute to the strengthening and deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries.
South Africa and China enjoy strong and vibrant economic relations. China is South Africa’s largest global trading partner and South Africa is China’s largest trading partner in Africa. China is a significant investor in South Africa and supports the country’s proposed local infrastructure development projects such as the Small Harbour Development Project and others, while many South African firms are invested in and thriving in the Chinese market.
Lastly, China has supported South Africa’s initiatives to find a lasting solution to the country’s energy challenges, contributing both expertise and equipment to those efforts.
The Deputy President is accompanied by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini; Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Magdeline Sotyu; Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms Nokuzola Capa; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela; and the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Nomalungelo Gina.
Media enquiries:
Mr Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to the Deputy President
Cell: +2764 833 8080 (temporary)
E-mail: vukani@presidency.gov.za
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria