China and South Africa share great potential to partner on climate finance and the green transition, combining South Africa's rich mineral resources with China's advanced clean energy technology, said Sthembiso Dlamini, CEO of Growth and Development Agency of Gauteng, South Africa.
This partnership embodies the G20’s vision of sustainable and equitable development, she said.
As the first African country to hold the G20 presidency, South Africa has set solidarity, equality, and sustainability as the theme of the 2025 summit.
Meanwhile, China proposed in its 15th five-year plan to accelerate the comprehensive green transition of economic and social development. The shared strategic vision, according to Dlamini, highlights the potential of cooperation on green sectors between not only China and South Africa, but Africa countries at large.
"Cooperation potential between China and Africa in this space is very strong. South Africa's G20 theme of solidarity, equality, and sustainability aligns very closely with China's commitment to a comprehensive green transition. China is rapidly scaling in clean energy, while, Africa, as we know, many African countries hold the critical minerals that are needed for the transition, from cobalt to lithium, platinum, palladium, manganese, and graphite," she said.
The rich mineral resources laid a solid foundation for green energy development, attracting global investors and researchers to join the course towards a greener South Africa. Local authorities, she highlighted, are also devoting efforts in green sectors, facilitating domestic green energy projects like the Gauteng Hydrogen Valley.
"South Africa plays a very central role in this value chain. We hold, as a country, approximately 75 percent of global platinum reserves and 40 percent of palladium, both of which are essential for hydrogen fuel cells. This is why projects that were implemented in Gauteng like Gauteng's hydrogen valley in the Vaal, are so important because they connect our mineral strength with clean energy technologies. So the hydrogen valley brings together industries, universities, and investors to really build a comprehensive green hydrogen ecosystem, which really spans through research, production, as well as mobility and manufacturing applications," she said.
China and South Africa, reciprocating in resources, technologies, and green finance, should hold hands to facilitate the shared ambition of green energy transition.
"China's goal of meeting most of its new electricity demand with clean energy complements South Africa's Just Energy Transition partnerships, which really focus on shifting to renewables while protecting jobs in our communities. By investing in projects like Hydrogen Valley, Solar and wind infrastructure, and modernization of our electricity grid, Chinese partners can actually help us, as South Africa, to accelerate transition while opening new markets for technology and finance," she said.
"In short, China brings the technology, they bring the scale and climate finance, while Africa, and Gauteng in particular, offers the minerals, the industrial capacity, and skilled workforce to localize the production. Together we can really move from exporting raw materials to building a shared green value chain, creating jobs, and ensuring a fair and just transition. So that's the kind of mutual beneficial partnerships that embody the G20 vision," she concluded.
South Africa official sees great potential in green transition cooperation with China
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
