SA and China cement agricultural trade ties at BNC session

In a move set to bolster South Africa’s agricultural resilience and market reach, deputy president Paul Mashatile and Chinese vice president Han Zheng have fast-tracked a golden era of trade.

Co-chairing the ninth South Africa-China Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, the leaders identified zero-tariff measures and infrastructure modernisation as the next frontier for bilateral growth.

For the local agricultural sector, the highlight of the session was the focus on the framework agreement on economic partnership for shared development, which aims to streamline trade for South African producers.

Building a stronger trade relationship

With China recently receiving South Africa’s avocados, pear, apples and cherries, the two leaders said there was a need to build on this foundation and open markets for the benefit of the two countries which will enhance economic growth, job creation and stable food security.

Following the United States of America tariff hikes last year, South Africa food producers have been on the drive to look for alternative markets with China being one of the biggest markers the country is looking at. During the Brics summit last year the two countries signed an agreement on stone fruits.

Zheng called for efforts to leverage the cooperation opportunities brought by China’s zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries.

“In a world of intertwined changes and challenges today, China and South Africa, both major developing countries and important countries in the global South, share extensive common interests and a broad space for cooperation,” he said.

Infrastructure development key for growth

Mashatile said the partnership must respond to a rapidly changing global environment by advancing inclusive growth and technological progress. He identified the modernisation of logistics as a critical bottleneck that the partnership is now set to address.

“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.

Zheng noted that beyond the bilateral scope, the relationship increasingly demonstrates global and strategic influence. He highlighted the need to further enhance alignment in key areas such as resources, energy, agriculture and science.

He expressed the hope that authorities in various fields would enhance coordination to identify key projects as soon as possible. Zheng emphasised that the BNC should turn “practical strategic planning into tangible cooperation outcomes” to secure more results for both nations.

Mashatile said 2026 marks 28 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations. He added that the BNC, established through the Pretoria Declaration in 2000, continues to serve as the apex mechanism for the Ten-Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation.

“Our partnership with China has become increasingly prominent and continues to compare favourably with our relations with other global partners,” Mashatile said.