Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile is currently on a high-level working visit to the People’s Republic of China, from 14 to 18 July 2025. This visit includes participation in the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), the world’s first national-level expo dedicated to global supply chains, hosted under the Chinese Central Government and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
South Africa has been honored with Guest Country status at CISCE, with the theme: “South Africa: Your Pathway to Supply Chain Resilience.” The Deputy President’s visit aims to promote strategic sectors including renewable energy, logistics, pharmaceuticals, mineral beneficiation, and the digital economy.
The third China International Supply Chain Expo will take place in Beijing from July 16 to 20, 2025. This year, over 650 companies and institutions from 75 countries and regions have confirmed participation, including major players from Europe, the United States, and Asia. Thailand is the Guest Country of Honor, with China’s Shandong and Guangdong provinces as Guest Provinces of Honor. The expo covers key industrial chains such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, smart vehicles, digital technology, healthy life, green agriculture, and supply chain services.
The Deputy President’s visit seeks to showcase a robust pipeline of investable projects to attract targeted Chinese investment, especially in Special Economic Zones and critical infrastructure. It also aims to enhance bilateral collaboration on clean technologies, digital skills development, and industrial standards, advancing South Africa’s goals for supply chain resilience, accelerated industrialisation, and deeper integration within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This engagement is a pivotal opportunity to strengthen the South Africa–China All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the new era and reinforce South Africa’s position as a gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa for trade, investment, and industrial cooperation. The Deputy President leads a South African delegation focused on deepening diplomatic and economic ties with China, reflecting South Africa’s commitment to global partnerships and sustainable development.
