South Africa is seeking to deepen its long-standing infrastructure partnership with China, with a strong focus on upgrading ports, rail and road networks, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said Thursday.
Mashatile emphasized that modernizing transport systems remains essential for unlocking South Africa’s economic potential.
“We see significant potential to further expand cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in the modernisation of ports, rail and road networks, which remain critical to unlocking economic growth and improving regional integration,” he said.
The remarks come as South Africa continues efforts to revitalize its logistics backbone, including state-owned Transnet’s rail and port operations, to boost mineral exports and trade efficiency.
Expanding cooperation in energy and minerals
The two sides also expressed encouragement over growing ties in energy and mineral sectors.
Mashatile noted progress in energy planning, including gas-to-power and nuclear-to-power initiatives. He referenced a 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between South Africa’s Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and China National Nuclear Corporation as a positive step.
“We are encouraged by the growing collaboration in energy planning, gas-to-power and nuclear-to-power development, as well as the shared commitment to deepen cooperation in mineral processing, beneficiation and value addition,” Mashatile told Han Zheng.
These efforts align with South Africa’s push to strengthen its industrial base and move up global value chains in critical minerals.
Focus on skills, technology and people-to-people ties
Beyond traditional infrastructure, the discussions touched on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, innovation and digital technologies.
“South Africa welcomes the growing cooperation with China in artificial intelligence, innovation and digital technologies, which will support technology localization, skills development and the advancement of sustainable economic growth,” Mashatile said in his closing remarks.
He also praised China’s emphasis on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), which is helping equip young South Africans with skills in sectors like new energy vehicle technologies.
The bilateral relationship, spanning three decades, has broadened in scope and strategic importance, covering science and technology, education, culture, environment and infrastructure. The BNC, established in 2000, serves as the apex mechanism guiding this All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
Mashatile described the partnership as reflecting shared aspirations for accelerated development in both nations.
