Letters | China and South Africa’s strong ties an advantage in a new era

Readers discuss the post-pandemic future of China-South Africa relations, and canine companionship during the pandemic

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa view a photo exhibition of the achievements in China-South Africa science and technology cooperation before the opening ceremony of a high-level dialogue between scientists of the two countries in Pretoria, South Africa, on July 24, 2018. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 11:30am, 14 Jan 2023

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As 2023 began, the global community breathed a sigh of relief. We may now finally begin to look towards a post-pandemic era of rebuilding, though the re-emergent world we now share is infinitely more complex than in 2019. Global geopolitical ramifications are acutely felt today in developing economies, and as we marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of South Africa-China diplomatic relations on January 1, the importance of our bilateral ties was reaffirmed.

The past three years have been about building resilience in South Africa, allowing us to return to growth. We are now looking to, once again, strengthening the ties that drive trade and innovation, and within this context, we approached the Asian Financial Forum 2023 in Hong Kong. Here, we are looking to reassert the incredible synergies and investment opportunities between China and South Africa. Few other platforms offer a better occasion to reconnect with the true nexus of global markets in Greater China – Hong Kong – so as to continue the successful trajectory that South Africa, the African continent and China have brought to bear over the last several decades.

This is particularly important in light of the fact that collaboration and globalisation are increasingly strained in today’s world. From its citizens to its leadership, South Africa remains committed to global cooperation and shared prosperity. More than ever, South Africa has a great deal to offer, with its diverse and globally connected people, its strong financial, technology and primary industries, and its leading position and influence on the African continent.

Looking towards the future, our partnership is undergirded by a long and continuous record of friendship and support. As a South African and a citizen of the African continent, I see a new era of multilateralism in which our strong partnership with China allows us the freedom and confidence to chart our own path to prosperity in an emerging global order. From the years of our struggles for liberation in the 20th century to the present day of innovation and continental-scale development, the partnership between China and South Africa is a story that will define the direction of history.

Mojalefa Mogono, consul general of South Africa in Hong Kong