MASHATILE PUTS SA FIRST IN BEIJING: DEPUTY PRESIDENT PITCHES SA AS AFRICA’S PRODUCTION POWERHOUSE AT CHINA EXPO

Mpho Dube
Jun 22
3 min read

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is welcomed by Chinese officials at CISCE in Beijing, Monday 23 June 2026. Mashatile reaffirmed South Africa’s “unwavering commitment” to the SA-China Comprehensive Economic Partnership, pitching the country as a preferred investment destination with world-class logistics, critical minerals, and duty-free access to China under CADEPA.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

AZANIAFROCOMEDIA – The Catalyst of Impact

BEIJING — Deputy President Paul Mashatile has taken South Africa’s economic case directly to the world’s factory floor, telling Chinese and global industry leaders that SA is “not merely a consumer market but a competitive production base” ready to anchor new global supply chains.

Addressing the Fourth China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing on Monday, Mashatile used his second appearance at CISCE to position South Africa as the gateway to a 1.3 billion-person African market, backed by strategic minerals, advanced manufacturing, and zero-tariff access to China.

“We invite Chinese and international partners to work with us to position Africa not merely as a consumer market but as a competitive production base, a sourcing destination, and an important node in global supply chains,” Mashatile told delegates.

The Deputy President laid out South Africa’s value proposition in three pillars:

1. Investment-Ready Infrastructure: “South Africa is an attractive investment destination, supported by sophisticated industrial capabilities, a world-class financial sector, and well-established logistics infrastructure,” he said. Mashatile stressed the Seventh Administration’s reforms to improve ease of doing business, accelerate infrastructure development, and boost competitiveness through Artificial Intelligence.

2. Strategic Mineral Advantage: “We are endowed with significant mineral resources, including platinum group metals, manganese, and chromium,” Mashatile said, noting SA’s reserves are critical for fuel cells, renewable energy technologies, and energy storage solutions. He pushed for “local beneficiation and downstream manufacturing” to ensure value stays in South Africa.

3. Gateway to 1.3 Billion Consumers: “Through the African Continental Free Trade Area, investors located in South Africa gain access to a market of more than 1.3 billion people,” he said. “This presents significant opportunities for regional value chain development and industrial expansion across Africa.”

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, centre, leads a delegation at the Fourth China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing on Monday, 23 June 2026. Mashatile toured advanced manufacturing and hydrogen energy exhibits, showcasing South Africa’s drive to secure partnerships in green tech, rail and industrial value chains under the Seventh Administration. He told delegates SA is “a competitive production base” and gateway to Africa’s 1.3 billion-person market.

Mashatile told leading Chinese and international supply chain companies that economic cooperation must “support job creation, skills development, industrial growth and environmental sustainability, while delivering tangible benefits for people.”

“As we shape the future of global supply chains, we must ensure that our partnerships remain inclusive and sustainable,” he said.

He identified three priority sectors for collaboration: agriculture and food systems; critical minerals and the green economy; and advanced manufacturing, logistics and automotive value chains.

The Deputy President highlighted the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Prosperity, or CADEPA, signed earlier this year. Implementation is supported by a zero-tariff preference scheme that came into effect on 1 May 2026, allowing qualifying South African exports to enter China duty-free.

“South Africa reaffirms its commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with China. We are determined to position our country as both a preferred destination for investment and a reliable source of value within global supply chains,” Mashatile said.

CISCE, the world’s first national-level exhibition dedicated to supply chains, links upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, and fosters collaboration between large and small enterprises, industry, academia, and research institutions.

“Our presence here today reflects South Africa’s unwavering commitment to deepening our comprehensive economic partnership with China, aimed at advancing trade, investment, and long-term industrial cooperation,” Mashatile said.

The Deputy President’s Working Visit runs from 20 to 26 June and includes bilateral talks with Vice President Han Zheng and engagements with Chinese industrial giants.