Han Zheng attends the China-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and delivers a speech.

On March 27, 2026, local time, Vice President Han of China attended the China-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, and delivered a speech. Han proposed three suggestions. Firstly, deepen strategic alignment. China and South Africa are both developing countries with a long history of mutual support. China is willing to deepen strategic mutual trust with South Africa, strengthen policy communication, actively implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit, promote the deep integration of the "Belt and Road" cooperation and South Africa's national development plan, and tap the potential of practical cooperation in various fields. Secondly, expand economic and trade cooperation. China and South Africa have strong economic complementarity and a solid foundation for cooperation. President Xi Jinping announced last month that China will implement a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries starting from May 1st. China welcomes more high-quality South African products into the Chinese market, encourages more Chinese companies to invest and start businesses in South Africa. Expecting companies from both countries to actively strengthen cooperation, consolidate cooperation in advantageous areas, and cultivate new areas of cooperation growth in new energy, artificial intelligence, and other fields. Thirdly, strengthen multilateral cooperation. China and South Africa are both important members of the global South and have long maintained close cooperation in international affairs to defend international fairness and justice. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with South Africa on multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the G20, jointly promote the implementation of President Xi Jinping's four major global initiatives, practice true multilateralism, and defend the common interests and development space of developing countries.