South Africa and China Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Historic Commemoration
As the Chinese celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, South Africa proudly represented its government at this historic occasion.
Led by the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Mr. Wu Peng, the recent event served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in the fight against fascism, the enduring value of peace, and the importance of global solidarity.
South Africa stands alongside China and the international community in honoring the past, safeguarding peace, and advancing a future founded on cooperation, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.
This commemoration provided a fitting backdrop for Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams of the Department of Small Business Development to highlight the deepening ties between South Africa and China.
In her remarks, she emphasized, “It is in this spirit that South Africa treasures its partnership with China. From the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1998, to our collaboration through BRICS, the G20, and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, our relationship has grown into a strategic alliance grounded in shared aspirations.”
The minister underscored the economic significance of this alliance, noting that China has emerged as South Africa’s largest trading partner. Trade volumes, which stood at $2 billion in 1998, have soared to over $40 billion by 2023, according to a World Bank report on Sino-African economic ties.
This growth is fueled by substantial Chinese investments that have created jobs, transferred skills, and modernized key sectors. From finance to telecommunications, energy to manufacturing, these investments have laid a robust foundation for mutual benefit.
Looking to the future, Minister Ndabeni highlighted the exciting frontiers of collaboration. “China is now South Africa’s largest trading partner, with investments that have created jobs, transferred skills, and modernised sectors ranging from finance to telecommunications, energy, and manufacturing. Together, we are advancing new frontiers in renewable energy, green hydrogen, infrastructure, the digital economy, and the beneficiation of critical minerals,” she stated.
This focus aligns with the 2025-2027 action plan under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which prioritizes sustainable development and green technology, supported by China’s $1.5 billion investment in African renewable projects, as detailed in a 2022 Nature Energy study.
This partnership is particularly timely as South Africa navigates global economic challenges, including recent U.S. trade pressures, as reported in a 2025 Business Insider Africa article.
By leveraging China’s expertise and resources, South Africa is positioning itself as a key player in the global energy transition, capitalizing on its rich reserves of platinum and nickel for green hydrogen and critical mineral beneficiation.
The historic commemoration and the minister’s remarks signal a commitment to a shared future.
As both nations reflect on the lessons of the past, their strategic alliance promises to drive innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development, reinforcing the global south’s influence on the world stage.