He Rusheng, vice director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, met with Thandiwe Fadane, director-general of Economic Development at South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, in Guangzhou, on Dec 9. The meeting was also attended by Consul General Phuti Joyce Tsipa from the South African Consulate General in Shanghai.

He noted the strong bilateral relations under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries. He said that Guangdong is dedicated to implementing key agreements from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, aiming to deepen practical collaboration with South Africa in areas like industrialization, agricultural modernization, and talent development. He also emphasized the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges as an opportunity to enhance cultural and tourism ties.

Fadane acknowledged Guangdong's leading role in China's economy and innovation. She expressed South Africa's interest in strengthening cooperation with Guangdong in infrastructure, new energy vehicles, new energy storage technologies, and high-end manufacturing.

The meeting reaffirmed both sides' dedication to enhancing provincial-level exchanges under the broader China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership.