Cape Town – Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has met with Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi in Beijing to discuss bilateral, multilateral, and geopolitical matters of mutual interest.
The meeting occurred on Sunday in Beijing, ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s second State Visit to China and the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit later this week.
The ministers discussed strengthening bilateral ties across various sectors, including trade, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, automotive, green technologies, and infrastructure.
Minister @RonaldLamola on his meeting with his counterpart in China. @DIRCO_ZA #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/xYi6yrSl6D
— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) September 1, 2024
“They agreed to address issues such as structure of bilateral trade significantly and to increase mutually beneficial investments in areas such as agriculture, energy, manufacturing, the automotive sector, green technologies and infrastructure,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said.
The talks also focussed on South Africa’s beneficiation efforts, economic growth, local job creation, and skills transfer.
China remains South Africa’s largest global trading partner, with bilateral trade increasing from R614 billion in 2022 to R692 billion in 2023.
Minister @RonaldLamola in Beijing China ahead of President @CyrilRamaphosa state visit in China. @DIRCO_ZA #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/YuTyg9hyMw
— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) September 1, 2024
“In terms of Africa-China cooperation, South Africa believes that FOCAC must align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, especially the Second Ten- Year Implementation Plan.
“South Africa believes implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will promote intra-Africa trade, boost economic growth and address the continent’s infrastructure deficit.
“Through FOCAC, China offers a unique platform to contribute to continental and regional initiatives including continental integration. The Minister inter alia reflected on cooperation within the multilateral context and through their membership of fora such as BRICS and the G20,” the department said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
