Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola met with Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Sunday to discuss bilateral, multilateral, and geopolitical issues of mutual interest. The meeting took place ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to China and the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

During the inaugural meeting, the Ministers emphasized the long-standing ties between the two nations, exploring various areas of cooperation. Key topics included restructuring bilateral trade, enhancing mutually beneficial investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, automotive, green technologies, and infrastructure.

The discussions particularly focused on South Africa’s efforts in beneficiation, market access, economic growth, job creation, and skill transfer. “We need to address these issues to strengthen our economies and create sustainable opportunities for our people,” said Minister Lamola.

China is South Africa’s largest global trading partner, with bilateral trade growing from R614 billion in 2022 to R692 billion in 2023. South Africa, in turn, is China’s leading trading partner in Africa.

Minister Lamola highlighted the importance of aligning FOCAC with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan. He noted that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would boost intra-African trade, stimulate economic growth, and address infrastructure deficits on the continent.

“FOCAC provides a unique platform for China to contribute to continental and regional initiatives, including Africa’s integration,” the Minister added.

The meeting also touched on global issues, with Lamola praising China’s role in facilitating the reconciliation agreement among Palestinian factions, as outlined in the Beijing Declaration. Both Ministers agreed on the need to address conflicts on the African continent.

In a broader context, they discussed the need for comprehensive reforms to the United Nations, particularly the Security Council. “Reform is essential to ensure that the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America are adequately represented,” said Lamola.

The discussions set the stage for President Ramaphosa’s State Visit, aiming to further solidify the partnership between South Africa and China while addressing critical global and regional challenges.