People's Daily, Pretoria, South Africa, August 25 (Reporter Dai Kairan) On the 25th, the South African Institute of International Affairs held a seminar in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, with the theme of "Strengthening global trade cooperation on the occasion of protectionism: Can South-South Cooperation Be the Answer". The guests discussed topics such as the global trade system, African continent integration, and the prospects for China-Africa cooperation.

The picture shows the seminar site. Photo by Dai Kairan, a reporter from People's Daily

Mr. Vamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Zone Secretariat, said that at present, while unilateralism and protectionism are bringing challenges to African countries, it also provides an opportunity to promote the process of integration on the African continent. African countries are committed to increasing development financing, bridging infrastructure gaps, and promoting the free flow of people and goods on the African continent. Under cooperation mechanisms such as the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and the "Belt and Road" initiative, China helps African countries improve infrastructure and enhance connectivity, which is of great significance to the integration process of the African continent.

Sholelova Mrubi-Peter, deputy director-general of the Trade Department of South Africa's Ministry of Trade and Industry, said that high tariff policies have increased uncertainty in global trade and the global southern countries have been hit. Against this background, the Global South should strengthen the coordination of trade policies and find solutions to mutually beneficial and win-win results. The "zero tariff" policy and other measures announced by China not only provide a market for African products, but also help African countries build local value chains. South Africa looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in the fields of agriculture, automobile manufacturing, etc.

The picture shows the seminar site. Photo by Dai Kairan, a reporter from People's Daily

Elizabeth Sidi Ropoulos, CEO of the South African Institute of International Affairs (), said that the rise of unilateralism and protectionism seriously threatens global economic stability and seriously impacts the multilateralist order. Strengthening solidarity and cooperation between global southern countries, including China and African countries, is crucial to maintaining a fair and just global multilateral trade system. In recent years, China has helped African countries build infrastructure, assisted digital transformation and green development, and promoted the development and revitalization of the African continent.