On Saturday, January 10, 2026, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola hopped on a call to supercharge South-South cooperation and uphold multilateralism 🤝🌍.
Key takeaways:
- Both sides will expand high-level exchanges and inter-party dialogue to build strategic trust.
- China will help roll out zero-tariff measures for African imports, aiming to boost South Africa’s economy and benefit local communities.
- They’re set to make 2026 the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, deepening cultural and educational links.
- Shared commitment to defend the United Nations Charter, oppose hegemonism, and amplify the voice of developing nations.
Wang Yi also congratulated South Africa’s African National Congress on its 114th anniversary, expressing confidence the party will lead the nation through global challenges and drive growth. He praised South Africa's successful hosting of last year’s G20 Leaders’ Summit and reiterated China’s support for its bigger role on the world stage.
Lamola thanked China for backing South Africa’s G20 efforts and regional development, while reaffirming the country’s adherence to the one-China principle. He emphasized expanding trade ties, people-to-people links, and multilateral coordination to take the China–South Africa strategic partnership to new heights.
With both countries facing a fast-changing global landscape, this renewed collaboration signals a powerful move toward shared growth and solidarity across the Global South ✨.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
