China and South Africa pledge closer ties

Top diplomats from Beijing and Pretoria have agreed to deepen economic and multilateral cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, have agreed to strengthen South-South cooperation and uphold multilateralism.

On Saturday during a phone call, China expressed its readiness to expand high-level exchanges, deepen strategic mutual trust, and broaden practical cooperation with South Africa, declaring its goal is “to promote the implementation of China’s zero tariff measures for Africa in South Africa, help South Africa’s economic development, and benefit the local people.”

The Chinese foreign minister told Lamola that Beijing supports Pretoria’s role in international affairs and is prepared to work with it and other Global South nations “to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.” China also congratulated the African National Congress on its 114th anniversary and praised South Africa’s hosting of the 2025 G20 Summit despite external pressure.

Read more

Both sides agreed to jointly support the China-Africa Cultural Exchange Year to build broader public support for cooperation between China, South Africa, and other African partners.

Lamola welcomed Wang’s visit to Africa this month and said his government intends to deepen “political mutual trust with China, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and expand cultural exchanges, close multilateral cooperation, and promote the continuous development of the all-round strategic partnership between South China and China in the new era.”

This comes amid South African plans to diversify its trade agreements beyond the US. Trade and diplomatic relations between Washington and Pretoria have worsened since President Donald Trump took office last January. His administration has taken a tougher line toward Pretoria, including imposing higher tariffs in opposition to South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies and claiming Pretoria is enabling “genocide” against its white minority.

READ MORE: South Africa seeking new trade partners in response to US tariffs – minister

The US boycotted a recent G20 meeting hosted by South Africa and has said the African state will not attend next year’s summit in Miami.