According to a press release from the Presidency, during his stay in China he will also participate in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac), to be held from September 4 to 6 in Beijing.

Focac is a multilateral coordination mechanism between Asian and African countries, and is considered a cooperation platform within China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which is China’s global infrastructure development strategy.

Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; Science, Technology and Innovation; Human Settlements; Small Business Development; Presidency; Trade, Industry and Competition; Electricity and Energy; Public Works and Infrastructure; Higher Education and Agriculture.

They also include the Premier of the southern province of Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, and the Premier of northern Limpopo, Phophi Ramathuba.

Based on the text, China is South Africa’s largest trading partner worldwide, while South Africa is China’s largest trading partner in Africa.

Bilateral trade was $34 billion in 2023. South Africa’s annual exports to China are about $12 billion, while it imports $22 billion. jrr/arm/kmg/mv