Mbombela - Premier Mandla Ndlovu hosted a high-level delegation from the People’s Republic of China led by Minister Qin Zhanpeng in Mbombela on Thursday. This was a significant engagement aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, investment, and good relations between Mpumalanga and China.
The visit marked an important milestone in advancing subnational cooperation and reaffirmed the growing strategic relationship between Mpumalanga and China, particularly in sectors critical to the Province’s economic transformation and development agenda.
Premier Ndlovu reiterated Mpumalanga’s commitment to deepening collaboration with China in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, digital technology, industrialisation, and skills development. He highlighted that the Province has already entered into meaningful Memoranda of Understanding with the Longhua City in Gansu province and Xiamen City in Fujian province focusing on industrial cooperation, agricultural collaboration, and green energy development.
The Premier further noted that the Mpumalanga International Food Produce Market presents a major opportunity to expand export access for the Province’s citrus and agricultural products into the Chinese market, unlocking new avenues for trade, growth, and job creation.
Premier Ndlovu also conveyed appreciation for China’s financial contribution towards Mpumalanga’s disaster recovery efforts, noting that Mpumalanga and Limpopo are the two provinces to benefit from this gesture of solidarity and friendship.
Minister Qin Zhanpeng underscored the strength of China–South Africa relations, noting that China has remained South Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 years.
He encouraged Mpumalanga officials and students to take advantage of China’s foreign aid training programme, which offers both short- and long-term study opportunities, with applications for the 2026 intake currently open.
Minister Qin reaffirmed that cooperation at provincial and municipal level remains a key pillar of China–South Africa relations and assured the Province of the Chinese Embassy’s continued support in ensuring the effective implementation of agreements concluded between Mpumalanga and Chinese partners.
MECs Sasekani Manzini of Health, Mpumi Hlophe of Social Development, Khethiwe Moeketsi of Agriculture, Bonakele Majuba of Provincial Treasury and Leah Mabuza of Culture, Sport and Recreation attended the meeting.