PRETORIA, South Africa, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A briefing reception held in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, has highlighted growing opportunities for South African businesses to expand exports to China under China's zero-tariff treatment for African countries with which it has diplomatic ties since May 1.
The reception, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa and co-hosted by the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on Thursday, brought together about 400 government officials, business leaders, exporters and entrepreneurs to discuss the implementation of the policy and opportunities arising from improved access to the Chinese market.
Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng said the policy is bringing businesses and consumers in the two countries closer together and has already generated positive momentum in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Citing SARS figures, the ambassador said that bilateral trade between China and South Africa reached nearly 15 billion U.S. dollars from May to August, up nearly 24 percent year on year, as South African exports to China rose nearly 25 percent to 5.3 billion dollars and imports from China increased 23 percent to 9.47 billion dollars.
South Africa's agricultural exports to China reached nearly 500 million dollars during the period, up more than 35 percent year on year, while non-mineral exports grew 21.8 percent, he added.
"Zero tariffs significantly reduce the cost of trade between South Africa and China," Wu said, adding that the measure could strengthen the competitiveness of companies operating in South Africa and encourage investment and production.
South Africa is China's largest trading partner in Africa, while China has remained South Africa's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching 53.58 billion dollars in 2025.
South African Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said the government is working to ensure that the tariff measure translates into more exports, investment and jobs rather than simply increased trade volumes.
Noting that South African products meeting the applicable rules of origin can benefit from the preferential treatment when entering the Chinese market, Tau said SARS has issued 25,975 certificates of origin between June 1 and Aug. 31, while customs declarations increased 199 percent year on year.
The minister said the two countries are negotiating an early harvest arrangement through the Southern African Customs Union, following the signing of a framework agreement on economic partnership for shared development in February.
"Let us move from interest to deals, and from deals to prosperity," Tau said. ■
