Staff ReporterSouth Africa’s Cabinet has welcomed new agreements with China following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent state visit to Beijing, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced on Friday.
Key outcomes of the visit include an agreement to shift trade towards value-added manufactured products, cooperation on de-carbonisation, digitalisation, and transport logistics, and Chinese interest in expanding investments in South Africa. Six memoranda of understanding were signed to intensify cooperation between the two nations.
Of particular note is an agreement on foot-and-mouth disease that will allow for more flexible beef exports from South Africa to China.
Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, highlighted opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy and job creation. He noted that China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 years, with bilateral trade reaching $23.5 billion from January to May this year.
The developments underscore the growing economic ties between China and South Africa, with both sides expressing optimism about future collaborations in various sectors including electric vehicles, solar energy, and agricultural exports.
