South Africa and China Strengthen Cultural Ties and Cooperation
South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile has highlighted the growing cultural exchange between South Africa and China, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration among countries of the Global South.
During his visit to Beijing for the China International Supply Chain Expo this week, Mashatile stated that South Africa is prioritizing people-to-people relations, especially with China. “It’s something that exists already where we are doing a lot of exchanges in music, dance, and learning each other’s languages as required. It is happening,” he said.
Mashatile noted that through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), South Africa and China have an agreement on cultural partnerships, fostering closer ties between the two nations. “We are encouraging people-to-people relations with many countries, including China,” he added.
Discussing the significance of the BRICS group—which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—Mashatile emphasized its role in strengthening cooperation among the Global South. “We are happy that we are part of BRICS. And we see BRICS as an anchor for countries of the Global South to cooperate even more strongly, particularly in the face of rising protectionism from the West, particularly the US,” he said. “We need to defend our markets as well, against the tariff battle that the US has started, and we can only do so if we cooperate and work together.”
South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka echoed Mashatile’s sentiments, highlighting efforts to boost cultural diplomacy between the two countries. “Through our mission in Beijing, we partner with Brand South Africa and several organizations to strengthen our cultural diplomacy programs,” she said. “We need to learn other people’s languages and also learn how they eat and how they dance through music.”
Moraka added that the Embassy of China in South Africa is working closely with them to enhance cultural diplomacy with the People’s Republic of China.
In a move to improve accessibility between the two nations, South African Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille announced major new travel initiatives, including the reintroduction of direct flights. “South African Airways will be reintroducing the flight between Beijing and Johannesburg in October 2025,” De Lille announced. “They are waiting for the delivery of new aircraft, but by October 2025, we will bring back the South African Airways flight between Beijing and Johannesburg.”
De Lille also detailed a new visa application process aimed at making it easier for Chinese and other international visitors to travel to South Africa. “We have introduced a new visa system called the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme,” she explained. “People who want to travel to South Africa don’t need to go to our embassies or consulates; you can apply for your visa via a tour operator. We have accredited 19 Chinese tour operators who can apply on your behalf.”
Additionally, De Lille announced the upcoming introduction of an electronic travel authorization system. “That’s going to be applicable for the whole world,” she said. “You can, from the comfort of your home, apply for an online visa. The turnaround time will be less than 72 hours, and the new system will also use AI to help us with the verification of travelers to South Africa.”
