President Cyril Ramaphosa’s upcoming state visit to China, scheduled for 22–25 June 2025, marks a major diplomatic milestone as it coincides with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing.
Invited by President Xi Jinping, the visit demonstrates South Africa‘s ongoing strategic alignment with China and cements its leadership role in Africa at a critical juncture—on the eve of Angola‘s AU chair and South Africa‘s own economic re-engagement with Asia‘s largest economy.
Celebrating 25 Years of Diplomatic Partnership
It is 25 years since South Africa and China formalised relations in 1998. In that time, the two countries have built a robust diplomatic and economic relationship. Bilateral trade alone was worth R692 billion in2023, powered by mining, agricultural exports, and growing collaboration on technology and infrastructure. The partnership is founded on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), guided by a 10-year Strategic Cooperation Programme that runs to 2029.
This visit continues the legacy of high-level exchanges, following President Xi’s fourth visit to South Africa in 2024, and is expected to reaffirm the mutual commitment to shared development goals.
A Multi-Layered Diplomatic Agenda
Ramaphosa‘s itinerary will start with a ceremony of welcome in the Great Hall of the People, followed by the laying of a wreath at the Monument to the People‘s Heroes in Tiananmen Square—a gesture to China‘s revolutionary past and a symbolic display of solidarity.
The bilateral discussions will be rounded off by the signing of agreements on cooperation in priority areas of human settlements, agriculture, and science and technology, underlying South Africa‘s commitment to sustainable development and technological innovation.
Shenzhen Visit: Tapping into China‘s Innovation Hub
On the second day, Ramaphosa will travel to Shenzhen, China‘s tech capital, where he will engage with leading industry leaders and explore cooperation opportunities in the innovation and digital sector. This indicates South Africa‘s ambition to push technological cooperation and promote digital transformation domestically.
FOCAC Summit: Charting the Course for China-Africa Ties
The highlight of the visit is Ramaphosa‘s participation in the FOCAC Summit, which has the theme “Joining hands to advance modernisation and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.” His co-chairing a high-level panel with Wang Huning, Chairman of the CPPCC, will also amplify South Africa‘s voice in discussions onindustrialisation, agricultural modernisation, and green development—key pillars of Africa‘s Agenda 2063 priority areas.
Economic Diplomacy and the Business Forum
Ramaphosa will speak at the South Africa-China Business Forum, set totake place on the summit‘s sidelines. Entrepreneurs from both nations will talk about new opportunities for trade, investment, and sustainable economic collaboration. Focused on market entry, technology transfer, and infrastructure building, the forum ought to reinforce commercial ties and attract sizeable investment.
Deliverables: Strategic Outcomes for a Shared Future
The summit will conclude with the issuance of FOCAC outcome documents, including a declaration and a three-year action plan (2025–2027), outlining joint priorities in industrial development, trade facilitation, and regional integration. These commitments will write the next chapter in China-Africa cooperation and consolidate South Africa‘s role as a continental policy influencer.
A Pan-African Diplomatic Effort
Ramaphosa is joined on the tour by a high-level ministerial and provincial delegation, in line with the multi-sectoral nature of the partnership. With delegations from international relations, trade, technology, and small business development, the team is suitablyplaced to seek multi-dimensional cooperation, while the inclusion of provincial leaders like Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane underlines the importance of regional representation in international diplomacy.
The Ramaphosa China visit FOCAC 2025 is more than a state visit—it is a defining moment in South Africa‘s position in the world. It consolidates Pretoria‘s ties with Beijing, lends voice to Africa in international development, and addresses the country‘s aspiration to shape the trajectory of the continent amid a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment.
Source: Further Africa
