Calibre of China envoy Wu Peng 'highlights South Africa's importance to Beijing'

The Chinese foreign ministry's former director general of African affairs Wu Peng has arrived in South Africa to begin his tenure as Beijing's ambassador at a time of rising geopolitical tensions.

Wu, who arrived in Pretoria on Monday, said he looked forward "to working with all to take our comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height, according to a statement from the embassy.

"Together, let's harvest more 'golden fruits' in the 'golden era'," said Wu, who is also a former ambassador to Kenya.

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China's ambassadorial seat in South Africa has been vacant since the exit in March of Wu's predecessor Chen Xiaodong, who was named foreign vice-minister shortly after his return to Beijing.

Observers said Wu's appointment is in line with Chinese tradition of appointing a senior ambassador to South Africa, which remains the continent's largest trading partner with China.

Emmanuel Matambo, a research director at the University of Johannesburg's Centre for Africa-China Studies, said that Beijing has sent some of its most seasoned diplomats to South Africa since relations were established in 1998.

He pointed out that Lin Songtian, who preceded Chen in the role, also had solid diplomatic experience in several African countries before he was dispatched to South Africa's shores.

After leaving Pretoria, Lin was appointed president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. "This background shows how important South Africa is in China's continued quest to have a solid foothold in Africa," Matambo said.

"South Africa is likely to reciprocate this esteem by being even more receptive than has hitherto been the case to China's overtures, and being more aligned with China's global outlook."

David Shinn, a China-Africa specialist at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, said the appointment was "no surprise" and could lead to further senior assignments for Wu, as was the case with Chen.

"South Africa has long been considered one of China's most important relationships in Africa [and] the appointment simply underscores the importance that Beijing attaches to [the] relationship," he said.

This was especially true "at a time when the power structure is changing in Pretoria", Shinn added, referring to the recent elections which saw the ruling African National Congress fail to secure a simple majority.

The ANC received 40 per cent of the popular vote, ending the party's 30-year majority control of South Africa's parliament following the end of apartheid. Its long time rival and second-largest party the Democratic Alliance secured 22 per cent.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in as head of state for a second term on Wednesday, after the ANC struck a dramatic late coalition deal with the main opposition party and others.

Rhamaphosa's inauguration was attended by Xiao Jie, Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said China stands ready to work with the new government "to enhance political mutual trust, broaden practical cooperation ... and build a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future".

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reacts after his election to a second term in the first sitting of the National Assembly on June 14, following the recent elections. Photo: Reuters alt=South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reacts after his election to a second term in the first sitting of the National Assembly on June 14, following the recent elections. Photo: Reuters>

On his arrival in Pretoria on Monday, Wu said that even though China and South Africa are geographically far apart, the two countries enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges and a special bond of "camaraderie plus brotherhood".

More recently, the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries "has witnessed steady and speedy development, setting a fine example for China-Africa and South-South cooperation", he added.

Noting that the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, Wu said China is ready to work with South Africa to "carry forward friendship, deepen cooperation and seek common development".

Wu was welcomed to Pretoria by Yoliswa Mvebe from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, who said South Africa was ready to provide what help he needed in assuming his office.

Mvebe also said South Africa would work with China to deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries, "expand mutually beneficial cooperation and drive greater development of the bilateral relations".

Two-way trade between China and South Africa reached US$55.62 billion in 2023 - at 19.7 per cent accounting for the lion's share of China's total trade with the continent in that year.

China mostly buys South African raw materials, including gold, diamonds, platinum, and copper, as well as manganese, chromium, iron and zinc ores and ferroalloys.

Beijing has recently started buying food products such as citrus, maize and nuts. South Africa also plans to make its first shipment of avocados to China later this year following customs approval.

In return, South Africa imports Chinese electrical and electronics equipment and machinery, including broadcasting equipment, computers, and electric batteries.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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