By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
Deputy President Paul Mashatile, arrived in the People’s Republic of China for a working visit set to take place from 14-18 July 2025. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations as well as enhancing economic cooperation between South Africa and China.
The Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Mr Ren Hongbin has invited the Deputy President to participate in the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) to officially launch the South African National Pavilion.
The CISCE is the world’s first national-level expo that is dedicated to global supply chains and has also been active for the past three years and it is hosted by the Chinese Central Government as well as the CCPIT.
There is an opportunity for South Africa to implement the South Africa-China All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the modern era. It will also aim to reinforce South Africa’s position as a gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of trade, investment and industrial cooperation. Mashatile along with the Chinese Vice President Mr Han Zheng will hold a bilateral meeting.
Mashatile is also set to meet various major Chinese Institutions such as China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in partnership with Standard Bank, the Beijing Automotive International Corporation (BAIC) and the SINOMA international Engineering Company LTD.
The South Africa-China Investment Forum will also take place which is a platform for promoting bilateral trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
Among the delegates that will join Deputy President Paul Mashatile on his working visit is Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister of Tourism, Patricia De Lille, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Pemmy Majodina, and Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen.