China-South Africa trade forum held in Cape Town to deepen cooperation

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile addresses the China-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, March 27, 2026. The forum was held in Cape Town on Friday, with companies from both sides engaging in talks on cooperation in sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy and mining, finance, automobiles, and logistics. (Xinhua/Wang Lei)

CAPE TOWN, March 27 (Xinhua) -- A China-South Africa trade forum was held in Cape Town on Friday, with companies from both sides engaging in talks on cooperation in sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy and mining, finance, automobiles, and logistics.

The China-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum was jointly organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, with over 350 participants attending.

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile said that the recently signed Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development between the two countries would effectively lower costs for Chinese companies importing South African goods while opening new avenues for local industries to expand their reach and competitiveness.

CCPIT Chairman Ren Hongbin noted that the forum aims to help the business communities of both countries expand economic and trade cooperation, promote industrial alignment, and achieve mutually beneficial and win-win outcomes across a broader scope, wider fields, and deeper levels.

Ren added that CCPIT will thoroughly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, work with South African partners to build high-quality economic and trade platforms and provide better professional services, making new contributions for more fruitful results in China-South Africa and China-Africa mutually beneficial cooperation.

During the forum, South African business representatives introduced the local business environment and investment opportunities, while representatives of the China International Exhibition Center Group promoted the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo, to be held in Beijing in June.

Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), addresses the China-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, March 27, 2026.

The forum was held in Cape Town on Friday, with companies from both sides engaging in talks on cooperation in sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy and mining, finance, automobiles, and logistics. (Xinhua/Wang Lei)

A Chinese business representative speaks at the China-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, March 27, 2026.

A South African business representative speaks at the China-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, March 27, 2026.

Business representatives from China and South Africa talk during the China-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, March 27, 2026.