Premier of PRC State Council: China to deepen political engagement with South Africa

China and the Republic of South Africa have agreed to deepen political engagement and support each other on issues concerning their core interests. This was stated by Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang during a meeting with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, reports Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

Li Qiang conveyed to Ramaphosa the greetings of President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and noted that under the leadership of the two heads of state, relations between the countries have reached a new level. The parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, the mining industry, and infrastructure. China will also support the swift introduction of a duty-free regime for South African goods.

Li Qiang stated that China is ready to enhance its partnership with South Africa within BRICS and the Group of Twenty (G20). The countries intend to promote global governance reform and uphold the multilateral trading system.

Ahead of the G20 summit, the President of South Africa also held talks with the leader of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who praised South Africa’s G20 presidency, as noted on the website of the Brazilian government. The leaders pointed out that the current trade turnover does not correspond to the potential of their economies and agreed to explore the possibility of expanding the agreement between MERCOSUR and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Lula da Silva invited Cyril Ramaphosa to pay a state visit to Brazil in early 2026.

Support for the priorities of South Africa’s G20 presidency was also affirmed by the Prime Minister of Egypt, Mostafa Madbouly, during his meeting with the South African leader, MENA reports, a partner of TV BRICS. He noted that Egypt will participate in the summit for the first time as a guest country. During the talks, the parties discussed reform of the international financial system and ways to attract new investment to Africa.

The G20 summit is being held in Africa for the first time. The motto of South Africa’s presidency is “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.

Photo:  Xinhua News Agency