Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to embark on a Working Visit to the People’s Republic of China on Monday.
He will be accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka; Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams; Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen.
While there, Mashatile will participate in the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE).
Global supply chains
“In its third year, CISCE is the world’s first national-level expo dedicated to global supply chains. It is hosted under the auspices of the Chinese Central Government and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade [CCPIT].
“This high-level participation by the Deputy President and the South African Delegation is a pivotal opportunity to advance the South Africa-China All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era. It also reinforces South Africa’s position as a gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa for trade, investment, and industrial cooperation,” the Presidency said in a statement.
South Africa has been accorded Guest Country status for the expo under the theme “South Africa: Your Pathway to Supply Chain Resilience”.
The visit will focus on:
- Promoting strategic sectors such as renewable energy, logistics, pharmaceuticals, mineral beneficiation, and the digital economy
- Showcasing a robust pipeline of investable projects to attract targeted Chinese investment, particularly into Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and critical infrastructure
- Enhancing bilateral collaboration on clean technologies, digital skills development, and industrial standards
- Advancing South Africa’s objectives for supply chain resilience, accelerated industrialisation, and deeper integration within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework
“In addition, the visit will include a dedicated bilateral programme aligned with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and the Ten-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation (2020-2029) between South Africa and China, with a particular emphasis on Chapter Two on Mutual Beneficial Economic Cooperation and Trade.
“The visit is also part of the evolving strategic trajectory of the South Africa-China relationship and reaffirms both countries’ commitment to deepening mutual cooperation in support of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development,” the Presidency’s statement read.
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