President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Chinese president Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday to discuss trade relations between their countries. Ramaphosa expressed his desire to reduce South Africa’s trade deficit with China, just ahead of Xi’s call for African nations to increase their import of Chinese goods.
The challenge lies in Xi convincing African leaders to purchase more Chinese products, especially after falling short of a previous pledge to buy $300 billion worth of African goods. This comes as Western restrictions on Chinese exports are on the rise.
Ramaphosa emphasized the need for sustainable manufacturing and job-creating investments during the talks, highlighting South Africa’s aspirations for improved infrastructure and economic growth.
Xi, on the other hand, proposed an elevated strategic partnership with South Africa, indicating Chinese support in addressing the country’s infrastructure challenges. The discussions aim to propel South Africa towards overcoming economic hurdles and fostering stronger ties with China.