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During a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile reaffirmed the strength of relations between their two countries, committing to expand strategic cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure and global governance.
Premier Li characterised the relationship as grounded in mutual respect and a shared long-term vision, echoing the commitments previously made by President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa during their September 2024 talks in Beijing. He emphasised China’s commitment to deepening political trust and promoting mutual development within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2010.
A key highlight of the dialogue was China’s readiness to align development strategies with South Africa by increasing access for South African exports to the Chinese market. Premier Li noted that discussions were progressing on an economic partnership agreement that would reinforce this agenda and support China’s broader offer of zero-tariff treatment for all goods from African nations maintaining diplomatic relations with Beijing. This initiative forms part of China’s wider ambition, under FOCAC, to strengthen economic integration with Africa.
China has repeatedly expressed its intention to import a wider range of competitive African goods, contributing to shifts in longstanding North–South trade patterns. Li underscored that this approach offers African industries a valuable opportunity to grow their global presence beyond traditional extractive export routes.
Investment cooperation remains a priority. China indicated continued support for greater involvement of Chinese enterprises in South Africa’s economy, especially in sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, digital innovation, healthcare and major infrastructure. Premier Li stressed the importance of ensuring legal protections and institutional safeguards for Chinese companies and personnel in South Africa, echoing broader concerns raised in analyses of foreign investment trends across the continent.
Deputy President Mashatile welcomed China’s investment commitments and reiterated South Africa’s adherence to the one-China policy, a stance consistent with the African Union and most African governments. He highlighted South Africa’s interest in leveraging China’s zero-tariff scheme to grow its manufacturing and agricultural exports, emphasising the need for trade relations that support industrialisation over raw commodity dependence.
Mashatile also commended China’s backing of Africa’s digital and green transformation efforts, stating that South Africa views the partnership as a platform for advancing sustainable development and strengthening cultural and educational exchanges. He acknowledged the relevance of China’s four global initiatives — the Global Development, Security, Civilisation, and AI Governance Initiatives — noting their alignment with Africa’s calls for multilateral reform and a more balanced global order.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to multilateral cooperation through bodies such as the UN, BRICS and FOCAC. Premier Li affirmed China’s intention to work closely with the African Union and broader Global South to promote a more equitable international system. The G20 Summit, held for the first time on African soil, symbolised a decisive moment for elevating African perspectives on issues such as debt reform, development financing and climate justice.
This dialogue fits into China’s broader pattern of engagement across Africa, which has focused on infrastructure, skills development, vocational training and increased value addition in local industries. While critiques of China’s role in Africa often raise concerns around dependency and transparency, many African policymakers view these partnerships as part of a deliberate effort to diversify international relations and assert sovereign agency.
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The discussion between Premier Li and Mashatile reflects a growing continental drive to redefine Africa’s role in global affairs. It underscores an emerging ambition to shape development and diplomacy on Africa’s own terms, centred on human dignity, economic fairness and systemic balance. In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, the South Africa–China partnership illustrates how African states are embracing multipolar frameworks that avoid replicating extractive or asymmetric models, pointing instead toward a more polycentric global system where African agency is both recognised and institutionally supported.
