Ramaphosa Embarks on State Visit to China

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is undertaking a State Visit to China from September 2 to 5, 2024, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, coinciding with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. This visit follows Xi's visit to South Africa in August 2023, marking 25 years of diplomatic relations, during which bilateral trade saw significant growth from R614 billion in 2022 to R692 billion in 2023. Ramaphosa's itinerary includes a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of the People and laying a wreath at Tiananmen Square, followed by discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation in sectors like agriculture, human settlements, and technology. A highlight will be his visit to Shenzhen, focusing on economic diplomacy and interaction with tech industry leaders. The visit underscores the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations, which is guided by a Ten-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation (2020-2029). Ambassador Siyabonga Cwele noted the mutual respect and ongoing development of relations, with China being South Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.