On 28 August, Dr. Zhao Jixian, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa invited Ms. Yoliswa Mvebe, Acting Chief Director of Directorate: East Asia and Oceania of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), to jointly visit Chinese companies in Johannesburg, including Skyworth and Huawei. More than 20 officials from the Directorate and youth representatives from the Chinese Embassy joined the visit.

Minister Counsellor Zhao noted that Chinese companies in South Africa have played a positive role in deepening practical cooperation between the two countries and improving the well-being of the people. Deeply engaged in the South African market, these companies are optimistic about SA’s economic and social prospects and see enormous potential for future growth. The Embassy stands ready to work with the South African side to create a more favorable environment for them.

Ms. Mvebe thanked the Chinese Embassy for arranging the visit and commended the contributions made by Chinese companies to South Africa’s economic and social development. She said that her Directorate stands ready to work with the Embassy to support bilateral economic and trade cooperation and advance the all-round strategic cooperative partnership between South Africa and China in the new era.

During the visit, diplomats from the two countries held extensive and in-depth exchanges with representatives of the enterprises. The discussions took place in a friendly and lively atmosphere.