Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China – Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini, as part of her official visit to China, had a significant meeting with Mr. Wang Jianfeng, the President of Huawei, at the company’s headquarters in Shenzhen. The meeting aimed to discuss potential areas of cooperation between South Africa and Huawei, a leading global technology company.
The visit holds great importance as China remains South Africa’s largest global trading partner, with trade volumes steadily increasing over the years. In 1998, the trade value between the two nations stood at less than R1 billion, which surged to an impressive R544 billion in 2021. By the end of 2022, bilateral trade had reached a total volume of R614 billion, further solidifying the economic relationship.
Highlighting the significance of the visit, Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini emphasized the desire to explore new avenues for collaboration and strengthen existing partnerships with China. With approximately 42 South African companies already invested in various sectors in China, there is a solid foundation for further cooperation.
Accompanying Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini on the visit were South Africa’s Ambassador to China, Mr. Siyabonga Cele, Minister Plenipotentiary at the SA Embassy, Mr. Mahdi Basadien, and staff from the Asia Desk of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
During the meeting, discussions focused on areas such as technology transfer, innovation, research and development, and investment opportunities in South Africa’s growing digital economy. Both parties expressed their willingness to foster stronger ties and explore potential collaborations in these areas.
Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini commended Huawei for its track record of innovation and technological advancements, recognizing the company’s contributions to global digital transformation. She emphasized the importance of leveraging Huawei’s expertise to drive South Africa’s digital development and connectivity goals.
Mr. Wang Jianfeng, President of Huawei, expressed his company’s commitment to supporting South Africa’s digital transformation agenda. He highlighted Huawei’s extensive experience in providing cutting-edge technology solutions and its dedication to contributing to the socio-economic development of partner countries.
As the meeting concluded, both parties expressed optimism about the future of South Africa-China cooperation in the technology sector. They recognized the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships and agreed to explore concrete steps to advance collaboration.
Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini’s visit to China signifies South Africa’s determination to forge stronger ties with one of its most important economic partners. By engaging with influential technology companies like Huawei, South Africa aims to harness the benefits of technological advancements and further propel its digital economy.
