Beijing: Deputy President Paul Mashatile has arrived in China for a strategic working visit aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and economic cooperation between South Africa and China.
According to South African Government News Agency, the purpose of the visit, which began on Monday, is to strengthen ties and explore economic opportunities. Invited by the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Ren Hongbin, Deputy President Mashatile will participate in the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) and officially launch the South African National Pavilion.
Now in its third year, CISCE is the first national-level expo globally dedicated to supply chains, under the auspices of the Chinese Central Government and CCPIT. This participation by the Deputy President is seen as a significant step in advancing the South Africa-China All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the new era, reinforcing South Africa's position as a gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa for trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.
During the visit, Deputy President Mashatile is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. Additionally, he will engage with major Chinese institutions, including the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in partnership with Standard Bank, SINOMA International Engineering, and the Beijing Automotive International Corporation (BAIC).
Furthermore, the Deputy President will take part in the South Africa-China Investment Forum, which serves as a vital platform for promoting bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Accompanying Deputy President Mashatile are several key South African ministers, including Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka; Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams; Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau; Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina; and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen.