Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China’s readiness to enhance strategic communication and deepen political trust with South Africa to elevate bilateral cooperation during a meeting with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola in Beijing on September 1, 2024. Both countries, as significant members of the Global South, share trust and support, positioning them as friendly partners in development and international justice champions.
Lamola acknowledged the substantial mutual political trust between the two nations, highlighting the considerable progress in economic, trade, and investment cooperation. He emphasized that China has emerged as South Africa’s largest trading partner.
The meeting emphasized the successful collaboration between China and South Africa in various sectors and pledged to further enhance cooperation in economic, trade, and green development fields to deliver tangible benefits to both nations. Lamola’s visit comes ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) from September 4 to 6, where both countries aim to strengthen their partnership for mutual development.