Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has undertaken a working visit to China.

The trip ,which started today and ends on Saturday, comes at a time when South Africa is pursuing an objective of market diversification and export growth. 

The purpose of the trip is to sign the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA), which will see South African exports getting duty free access to the Chinese Market and attract investment into South Africa.

Tau will also take the opportunity to meet with various Chinese companies that have an interest in investing in South Africa.

China has been South Africa’s major trading partner for more than 15 years. 

“South Africa and China have a strong bilateral relationship that has been elevated to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership as formalised during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s official visit to China in September 2024,” the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said in a statement.