Mashatile urges deeper trade, investment and healthcare ties with China

Deputy President Paul Mashatile used a high-level working visit to Beijing and Shenzhen to reaffirm South Africa’s strategic partnership with China and to press for deeper cooperation in trade, investment and healthcare.

Visit highlights economic and industrial aims

Speaking during a meeting with Mindray Bio‑Medical Electronics in Shenzhen, Mashatile said the visit reflects the importance South Africa attaches to its relationship with China and a shared commitment to boost trade, investment, industrial cooperation and people-to-people relations.

“China remains South Africa’s largest trading partner and one of our most important sources of investment, technology and industrial collaboration.”

Long-term investment and industrialisation

Mashatile said Pretoria’s objective is not merely to attract capital but to build long-term partnerships that deliver industrialisation, technology transfer, localisation, skills development and sustainable job creation.

Healthcare at the centre of cooperation

The deputy president identified healthcare as central to South Africa’s development agenda and set out areas where collaboration with China could support the country’s goals for universal coverage and digitised services.

He listed the following opportunities for collaboration in healthcare:

• Smart hospitals and digital healthcare
• Telemedicine and remote healthcare services
• Advanced diagnostic and medical imaging equipment
• Healthcare information systems and data management
• Healthcare workforce training and capacity building
• Medical technology localisation and manufacturing
• Research, innovation and technology transfer
• Artificial intelligence and digital solutions in healthcare delivery

South Africa as an African gateway

Mashatile said South Africa is strengthening its position as a gateway to the African continent and that there are significant opportunities to use the country as a strategic base to serve healthcare markets across Africa. He referenced the African Continental Free Trade Area as a means for companies investing in South Africa to access broader regional markets.

Government support for investors

The deputy president emphasised that the government remains committed to supporting investors through policy certainty, investment facilitation and strategic partnerships to accelerate project implementation and unlock new opportunities.

Reporting date in source: 26 June 2026.