Chongqing and Gauteng Strengthen Ties for Diplomatic Cooperation
Senior officials from Chongqing, one of China’s largest municipalities, and Gauteng, South Africa’s economic powerhouse province, have pledged to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, technology, health, and education.
On September 1, Mr. Wang Jiong, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress, held separate meetings with Ms. Morakane Mosupyoe, Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, and Mr. Jacob Mamabolo, Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Gauteng.
The discussions focused on strengthening exchanges between the two legislatures and promoting practical cooperation that could unlock economic opportunities for both regions. Mr. Zhou Yujiang, Acting Consul General of China in Johannesburg, accompanied Mr. Wang during the engagements.
According to officials, the meetings were aimed at building on the growing partnership between China and South Africa, particularly in the framework of sub-national cooperation where cities and provinces collaborate directly to advance mutual development goals.
Chongqing’s Global Reach
Chongqing, located in southwestern China, is a sprawling municipality with a population of more than 30 million people. It is one of China’s four centrally administered municipalities, alongside Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Known for its rapid industrial growth, Chongqing is a major hub for automotive manufacturing, electronics, and logistics.
The city is also a key starting point of the China-Europe Railway Express, which forms part of the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthening trade connectivity between China and international markets. Over the years, Chongqing has positioned itself as a strategic gateway for inland China’s opening-up policies, boosting investment opportunities and cross-border exchanges.
By engaging with Gauteng, Chongqing aims to share its development experience and open new channels for cooperation with South Africa’s private and public sectors.
Gauteng’s Role in South Africa
Gauteng, although the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces in land size, is the economic engine of the country, contributing more than a third of the national GDP.
It is home to Johannesburg, Africa’s financial capital, and Pretoria, the seat of government. The province boasts strong industries in finance, mining services, manufacturing, logistics, and technology.
As a center for higher education and innovation, Gauteng is also a hub for skills development, housing some of South Africa’s leading universities and research institutions.
For this reason, partnerships with global cities such as Chongqing are seen as crucial for advancing knowledge exchange, joint research, and educational collaborations.
Strengthening China-South Africa Subnational Ties
During the engagement at the Legislature, the meeting emphasized the importance of enhancing legislative cooperation and fostering people-to-people exchanges. Speaker Mosupyoe noted that partnerships like these help create opportunities not just for trade but also for cultural understanding and social development.
The Gauteng delegation expressed its eagerness to explore practical projects in governance, health, and infrastructure that can benefit from Chongqing’s expertise and technological advancements.
For his part, Chairman Wang Jiong expressed Chongqing’s readiness to work closely with Gauteng to advance shared goals. He highlighted that the cooperation will be mutually beneficial, particularly in the areas of innovation-driven industries and sustainable urban development.
Officials confirmed that both sides would explore mechanisms for follow-up engagements and potential agreements to turn the dialogue into concrete results.
The meetings mark another step in deepening ties between China and South Africa at provincial and municipal levels, complementing the broader strategic partnership already established between the two countries.