The South Africa-China Bi-national Commission was scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 3 in Beijing and Shanghai, the presidency said in a statement.

This bilateral platform would be preceded by engagements between the political leadership of the two countries. The South Africa-China Bi-national Commission was established in 2002 to serve as a strategic platform to address issues of common interest such as trade promotions and economic exchanges.

Mabuza and his delegation, which included the Deputy Ministers of international Relations and Cooperation - Masego Dlamini, Trade and Industry - Fikile Majola, and Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries Makhotso - Magdeline Sotyu, were received by the Chinese ambassador to South Africa - Lin Songtian, together with the charge d’affaires of South Africa in Beijing, Deborah Balatseng.   

The working visit took place in the context of strengthening the South-South cooperation and consolidating the already existing bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and China.

"In its agenda of promoting a better Africa and a better world, South Africa and China are working closely in promoting mutually beneficial relations at both continental and global stage.

"Currently, South Africa has a total of about 26 companies that are investing in China with a capital expenditure of R88 billion between January 2003 and August 2019. China, on the other hand, has a total of 88 companies that are investing in South Africa with a capital expenditure of R116 billion over the same period," the presidency said.

“Our agenda of building mutually beneficial relations remains a fundamental pillar of South Africa’s foreign policy. China is a central partner and a fraternal friend that continues to support the development agenda of our country and continent. Therefore, these economic and trade relations between South Africa and China signifies an ever-growing partnership,” Mabuza said in the statement. 

African News Agency