Trade and investment relations will be key themes during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State visit to the People’s Republic of China from September 2 to 5, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has confirmed.

The visit follows President Xi Jinping’s fourth State Visit to South Africa in 2023.

Delivering a statement following the August 22 Cabinet meeting, Ntshavheni highlighted that China was South Africa’s largest trading partner and a major investor.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $34-billion in 2023, and comprised $12-billion in exports and imports of $22-billion.

That trade imbalance was likely to feature in discussions, alongside ways to expand market access for South Africa’s agricultural and manufactured products, while increasing the value added to South African minerals exported to China.

She reported that Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau would provide more details during a future briefing on the State visit, as well as on the South African delegation, which would include Ministers, Premiers and business people.

The Cabinet statement itself indicated that a number of agreements were also expected to be concluded, including a Framework Agreement on Development Cooperation.

A South Africa delegation would also participate in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which will take place from September 4 to 6.

FOCAC is a multilateral coordination mechanism between China and African countries, and it is viewed as a cooperation platform within the Chinese’s Belt and Road Initiative.