China, South Africa boost economic, trade ties at Johannesburg conference

An economic and trade cooperation conference between China's Shenzhen and Hong Kong and South Africa's Johannesburg was held in Johannesburg recently, bringing together about 100 representatives from various sectors of both nations to explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation.

Addressing the event, Wang Shourui, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Shenzhen Municipal Committee, highlighted the achievements of the southern Chinese metropolis in high-quality development.

Noting the strong complementarity between Shenzhen and Johannesburg in development priorities and the substantial potential for mutual growth, he expressed hope that both sides will deepen collaboration in trade, innovation, and industrial alignment to write a new chapter in China-South Africa cooperation.

Chinese Consul General in Johannesburg Pan Qingjiang emphasized the pivotal role of Shenzhen and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in driving the overall development of China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The two cities are continuing to advance high-level opening up, he said, expressing hope that all parties concerned would translate cooperation into tangible outcomes to contribute fresh energy to regional exchanges and cooperation, as well as the broader bilateral relationship between China and South Africa.

Thulani Kunene, deputy chairman of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, noted that the development needs of Gauteng Province and the City of Johannesburg in innovation, manufacturing, logistics and finance closely align with the industrial strengths of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

He expressed confidence that deepening cooperation in these areas will foster high-quality development for both sides.

At the event, the South Africa Service Center of the Shenzhen International Business e-Station, a comprehensive one-stop platform designed to support Guangdong-based enterprises in their global expansion, was officially launched.

China has remained South Africa's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, with bilateral trade exceeding 53.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, according to official data.

China's direct investment stock in South Africa has surpassed 11.7 billion U.S. dollars. Nearly 300 Chinese enterprises have invested and operated in South Africa, continuously expanding win-win cooperation in areas including infrastructure, automobile manufacturing, mineral processing, new energy, and the digital economy, and creating more than 400,000 local jobs.

China, South Africa boost economic, trade ties at Johannesburg conference

China is willing to continue working with Russia within the framework of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, maintain timely communication on major issues, and make joint efforts to help de-escalate the situation in the Middle East, safeguard regional peace and stability, and uphold common security for the world, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should uphold fairness and justice on matters of principle, adopt an objective and balanced approach, and seek greater understanding and support from the international community, Wang said.

Noting that China has consistently advocated the resolution of international and regional hotspot issues through dialogue and negotiation, Wang said that the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate, hostilities are still escalating, and the fundamental solution to ensuring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz lies in achieving an early ceasefire and bringing the war to an end.

For his part, Lavrov said Russia is highly concerned about the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Regarding the ongoing conflict and the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, Lavrov said Russia maintains that military operations must be stopped immediately and efforts should return to the track of political and diplomatic settlement to address the root causes of the conflict, and the UN Security Council should play a constructive role in this regard.

Russia stands ready to maintain close communication and coordination with China and continue to make efforts and speak out in support of a ceasefire and the end of the war, he said.

China willing to cooperate with Russia to de-escalate Mideast situation: FM