Cape town: With nearly 30 years of formal diplomatic relations between South Africa and China, the government has identified significant potential to expand cooperation in infrastructure development, amid a growing investment footprint by Chinese enterprises in the country.
According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy President Paul Mashatile expressed optimism about the future of South Africa-China relations during a meeting in Cape Town with his counterpart from the People's Republic of China, Vice President Han Zheng. Both leaders are co-chairing the 9th South Africa-China Bi-National Commission (BNC), a platform established in 2000 to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and sectoral cooperation between the two nations.
Mashatile highlighted the strategic importance of modernizing ports, rail, and road networks to unlock economic growth and improve regional integration. He emphasized that the BNC continues to provide strategic direction for the partnership, particularly under the Ten-Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation (2020-2029). The Deputy President expressed hope that the meeting would consolidate progress since the last session and identify priority areas for future cooperation.
The growing investment footprint of Chinese enterprises in South Africa was noted as a positive development, with Mashatile reaffirming South Africa's commitment to ensuring that the partnership delivers practical outcomes that support sustainable development and improve livelihoods. He stressed that South Africa's approach to international relations is guided by its national interest to advance inclusive economic growth.
Mashatile also recalled the strong momentum in bilateral relations, including his Working Visit to China in July 2025 and a subsequent meeting with Premier Li Qiang of the People's Republic of China in November 2025. These engagements aimed at strengthening economic and trade cooperation have advanced South Africa's strategic objectives in trade, investment, industrialization, multilateral cooperation, and governance.
As South Africa and China continue to enjoy strong diplomatic relations anchored in the All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era, the Deputy President noted that the continued high-level engagements reflect enduring friendship, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to development. With 2026 marking 28 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, the BNC remains the apex mechanism guiding cooperation between the two countries.