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Deputy President Paul Mashatile met Premier Li Qiang of the People’s Republic of China on 23 November 2025 at the NH Hotel in Sandton. The courtesy meeting focused on advancing South Africa’s priorities in trade, investment, industrialisation, and multilateral cooperation. It also reinforced the growing partnership between the two nations following recent high-level visits.
What Happened
Deputy President Mashatile used the meeting to push South Africa’s strategic objectives, including expanding value-added exports and attracting more Chinese investment. He pointed sectors such as beneficiation, manufacturing, renewable energy, and the digital economy as key areas for collaboration.
He also stressed the need to draw South African firms into Chinese and broader global value chains to drive inclusive growth and create jobs, especially for young people.
The engagement follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to China and Mashatile’s own mission to Beijing in July 2025. It further signifies the consolidation of the All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era.
Official Response
Deputy President Mashatile expressed appreciation for China’s support during South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
“I would like to reaffirm South Africa’s appreciation for China’s support, including its generous contributions of RMB 2 million (R5.34 million) to DIRCO and an additional USD 2 million (R36.8 million) in support of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and Leaders’ Summit,” he said.
He also welcomed the overwhelming adoption of the G20 Leaders’ Declaration during the summit held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on Friday, 21 November 2025.
Africa is expected to participate in two major bilateral engagements in Beijing in December 2025:
• the 4th Session of the South Africa-China High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism, and
• the 13th South Africa-China Strategic Dialogue.
South Africa will also host the Bi-National Commission (BNC) in March 2026.
Community Impact
The meeting illustrates South Africa’s continued push to build international partnerships that support economic recovery, industrialisation, and youth employment. Stronger diplomatic and economic ties with China are expected to boost investment flows, open new export channels, and expand cooperation across key growth sectors.
