Xi, Ramaphosa phone call sets pace for China-Africa relations

Published: June 14,2023

By Stephen Ndegwa

National flags of China and South Africa. /CFP

The recent conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa must have sent chills down the spine of the West.

Apart from being the second largest economies at global and continental levels respectively, China and South Africa have more in common. The two countries have offered to lead in political negotiations and mediate in the ongoing Ukraine crisis. Both have called for dialogue and even offered themselves to lead the pursuance of a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Ramaphosa’s endorsement of China’s position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis is evidence of South Africa’s ideological leanings. It is also aimed at asserting the country’s total “independence” from any manipulation of the West and showing that like China, Africa has also come diplomatically of age. It is worth noting that South Africa has planned to lead a delegation of six African countries for a peace mission to Russia and Ukraine.

This development is significant in the growing bilateral relationship between China and Africa. Both countries are engaged in genuine multilateralism, particularly in ensuring the interests of African countries and developing countries at large during international policymaking forums. Following increasing lobbying, China has been one of the major supporters of giving African countries a seat at the United Nations Security Council. 

Naturally, South Africa is a prime candidate for one of such seats, and China’s support will definitely give it the final push.

January 1, 2023, marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. In the last quarter of a century, the two countries have deepened their bilateral relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership underpinned by a new 10-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation that runs from 2020 to 2029.

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meets with South African Police Minister Bheki Cele in Beijing, capital of China, June 8, 2023. /Xinhua

In addition to implementing the strategic cooperation program, the two countries are cooperating in the implementation of the nine programs announced at the 2021 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting, and deepening overall cooperation within the BRICS framework. The two countries have also set their eyes on cooperation in 5G, digital economy, high technology, e-commerce, smart cities, clean energy, vaccine production and other emerging fields.

China and South Africa have also been steadfast in their commitment, cooperation and partnership under the FOCAC, which promotes joint initiatives for continental development. South Africa is a trend setter in Africa and serves as one of the crucial gauges of Chinese-African relations.

China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. Notwithstanding the globally devastating COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral trade exceeded $54 billion in 2021. South Africa’s exports to China exceeded $33 billion. South Africa is also one of the biggest investment destinations for Chinese companies in Africa. By the end of 2021, China’s investments in South Africa totaled more than $25 billion and created more than 400,000 local jobs.

Going forward, China and South Africa have firmly planned the road to more development in the years ahead by deepening economic, trade and investment cooperation. In addition, China will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in South Africa to implement President Ramaphosa’s investment proposals.

As part of its capacity building support for South Africa, China plans to speed up the construction of vocational training center projects and offer job assistance programs for college graduates and other special groups. China is also encouraging Chinese companies to train more competent local professionals through technology transfer and skills training. Generally, both sides’ cooperation and people-to-people exchanges are flourishing in tourism, education, culture.

 Stephen Ndegwa, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is the Executive Director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi-based communications development think tank.

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