Access to African markets

Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world, and South Africa is the continent's economic powerhouse. South Africa is working to create a free-trade zone among the 15 members of the Southern African Development Community. This would boost efforts by other BRICS countries to tap into the regional market. China, for example, could participate in a joint venture to extend the Chinese-built Tazara Railway to Johannesburg, and explore the southeast African tourism market. China and South Africa can also work together to maintain stability and promote economic growth in Southern Sudan.

Bilateral trade

South Africa's economy was hit by the economic crisis and the country suffers from high unemployment. The new Zuma administration has adopted a "Looking Eastward" strategy that emphasizes cooperation with other emerging economies. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said South Africa's entry into BRIC will provide access to technology, as well as boosting trade. China is South Africa's top trade partner, and South Africa is China's top direct investment destination in Africa. China can also promote multilateral cooperation, for example by joining existing Brazil-South Africa cooperation in automobiles and mining, collaborating with Russia, Brazil and South Africa on space exploration and with Brazil and South Africa on offshore oil exploration.

Climate change

Like China, South Africa believes emissions cuts targets should not be used as a reason to slow down the development of poorer countries, and that richer countries should accept more responsibility for climate change. China and South Africa can also work together to mitigate the effects of climate change in the developing world, and lobby for technical and financial support from developed countries.

The author is a researcher of China Institute of International Studies.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn

(This article was written in Chinese and translated by Li Shen.)