China and South Africa Pledge Deeper Ties at G20 Summit

On November 22-23, 2025, on the sidelines of the 20th G20 Summit, the Chinese premier Li Qiang and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile sat down to map out a stronger partnership for the years ahead.

Li opened by recalling the “important consensus” reached by President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa during their September 2024 meeting in Beijing, emphasizing that both nations stand as “good friends and brothers” united by shared goals.

The two leaders agreed to follow strategic guidance from their heads of state, with China stepping up market access for quality South African products. Negotiations are now underway on an economic partnership agreement, while South Africa prepares to benefit early from China’s zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for African countries having diplomatic relations with China.

Li also invited more Chinese investment in areas such as new energy, automobiles, healthcare, the digital economy and infrastructure—sectors primed to accelerate modernization and create new jobs.

Highlighting the Forum on China‑Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Li pledged greater alignment on implementing the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and urged Pretoria to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and personnel.

Deputy President Mashatile thanked China for its strong support as South Africa hosted this year’s G20 Summit, reaffirming his country’s unwavering one’China policy. He outlined plans to deepen collaboration across trade, industry, agriculture, digital innovation and green development.

Mashatile added that South Africa will boost people‐to‐people exchanges and ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and companies operating locally. He also commended the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and called for closer Global South coordination to build a fairer international order.

As this all‐round strategic partnership advances into a new era, both sides are eager to translate these high‐level commitments into tangible projects that benefit businesses and communities across China, South Africa and the broader Global South.

Reference(s):

China pledges to deepen cooperation with South Africa

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