South African officials highlight role in tackling key challenges on the continent

South African senior officials praised China's constructive support for South Africa's development and the Global South during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, pledging joint efforts to advance multilateralism. Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo highlighted China's role in addressing African challenges in infrastructure, finance, trade, and climate change, including removing growth barriers and granting zero-tariff treatment to products from 53 African countries since June to counter global trade protectionism. China has been Africa's largest trade partner for 16 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching $296 billion last year (up 4.8%), and South Africa's trade with China hitting $25 billion in the first half of this year. Masondo noted Chinese investments in key sectors like automobiles as vital for South Africa's economy. International Relations spokesman Chrispin Phiri emphasized South Africa's interest in partnering with China to enhance electric vehicle manufacturing, leveraging its status as Africa's most industrialized economy. Both Masondo and Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya commended China's commitment to multilateralism for tackling global issues like climate change, describing the bilateral relationship as excellent and closely aligned, especially under South Africa's G20 presidency, with future cooperation eyed in new technologies to accelerate South Africa's tech advancement. The comments coincided with the summit's adoption of a declaration—without U.S. participation—urging action on climate change, sustainable development, and global financial reforms for equitable growth.