Wang Wentao, Chinese Minister of Commerce and Parks Tau, South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition co-chair the 9th meeting of the China-South Africa Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Beijing on February 6, 2026. Photo: Ministry of Commerce of China

China and South Africa signed a partnership agreement, under which South Africa will enjoy zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for its exports to China, according to a release by China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday. This marks the 33rd African country to sign such a framework agreement with China. The latest move followed a commitment by China last June, which said will implement the policy of granting 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. 

By signing the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, China will ensure that South Africa enjoys zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for exports to China in a manner consistent with WTO rules, providing long-term, stable, and predictable institutional safeguards to comprehensively elevate bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Wang Wentao, Chinese Minister of Commerce said on Friday, when he co-chaired the 9th meeting of the China-South Africa Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Beijing with Parks Tau, South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Tau said on X on Friday that "this agreement will enhance trade with the People's Republic of China while increasing exports and rebuilding our industrial capacity."

According to a statement posted on the South African Government's website, "this landmark agreement will be followed by the negotiation and conclusion of an Early Harvest Agreement by the end of March 2026, which will see China provide duty free access to South African exported products and enhance Chinese investment into South Africa." 

This marks the 33rd African country to sign such a framework agreement with China, representing another concrete step to help African nations share in China's ultra-large market and vast development opportunities, said MOFCOM.

In June 2025, China announced that it will implement the policy of granting 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, provide more facilitation to Africa's least developed countries for their export to China, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry.

On Friday, the Chinese and South African sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on deepening bilateral and multilateral economic and trade cooperation, said MOFCOM.

"This year marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), during which China will continue to advance high-quality development and firmly expand high-level opening-up, bringing new opportunities for China-South Africa cooperation. China is willing to work with South Africa to further tap the potential of bilateral trade," said Wang.

Wang also said that China stands ready to actively respond to South Africa's "new investment initiative," expand investment cooperation in sectors such as automobiles, mining, agriculture, and new energy, and jointly build stable and resilient industrial and supply chain partnerships. China hopes South Africa will provide greater facilitation and support for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the country.

Against the backdrop of rampant unilateralism and protectionism, China will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with South Africa within multilateral frameworks such as the WTO and BRICS, jointly upholding the authority and effectiveness of the rules-based multilateral trading system centered on the WTO, Wang stressed.

Tau emphasized that, in the current international environment, South Africa attaches great importance to deepening economic and trade cooperation with China. South Africa is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, provide a favorable policy environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in South Africa, and jointly promote the sustained and healthy development of bilateral trade and industrial cooperation, according to MOFCOM.

"As China South Africa relations continue to deepen, new opportunities emerge for South African businesses seeking to enter the Chinese market, particularly in sectors such as mining, agriculture, renewable energy and technology," said Tau, according to the statement by South African Government.

"Chinese automotive companies are investing into the South African economy and creating much needed employment opportunities. We look forward to attracting even more Chinese investment into South Africa, and also introducing many South African products into the Chinese market," Tau said.

Global Times