What Mashatile’s meeting with China’s Premier Li Qiang means for South Africa

Following the completion of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile met with China’s Premier Li Qiang in Sandton on Sunday as South Africa maintained its attempts to fortify diplomatic, economic, and political ties with Beijing.

Following Mashatile’s July travel to China, which came soon after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State travel, the courtesy meeting was held at the NH Hotel. The Presidency stated that Sunday’s interaction was intended to strengthen the nations’ “All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era.”

The main topics of discussion were growing South Africa’s value-added exports to China, boosting Chinese investment in manufacturing and beneficiation, and strengthening collaboration in the digital economy and renewable energy.

Mashatile emphasised the importance of integrating South African firms into Chinese and global value chains to support inclusive growth and create jobs, especially for young people.

He also expressed appreciation for China’s support during South Africa’s G20 presidency, after the summit — which concluded on Sunday — adopted the G20 Declaration by overwhelming consensus.

“I would like to reaffirm South Africa’s appreciation for China’s support, including its generous contributions of RMB2 million (R5.34 million) to DIRCO and an additional USD2 million (R36.8 million) in support of South Africa’s G20 presidency and Leaders’ Summit,” he said.