By staff writer, China Africa News
HANGZHOU-China, August 28,2026 — China and South Africa brought development, economic cooperation and human rights together in a discussion on Thursday as officials, academics and experts from the two countries met in Hangzhou to examine the challenges facing the developing world.
Around 60 participants attended the 2026 China-South Africa Human Rights Seminar, which focused on the theme of common modernisation and human rights development.
The discussions covered China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, the right to development, human rights during the transition to greener economies and the role of modern governance in advancing human rights.
South African officials emphasized the importance of international peace and security in creating conditions for development. They argued that developing countries need a more secure and sustainable international environment if they are to address poverty, inequality and other social challenges.
The meeting reflects the increasingly broad relationship between China and South Africa. The two countries have strong economic ties and have also worked together on issues involving the Global South, international institutions and the reform of global governance.
For China, the right to development has become an important part of its international engagement with developing countries. Beijing has argued that economic development, improved living standards and social stability should form an important part of the international human-rights discussion.
South African participants similarly stressed the importance of development in creating a fairer international system. Speakers called for greater recognition of the experience and perspectives of countries in the Global South.
The seminar also comes as China expands economic opportunities for African countries. Beijing’s zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries is expected to give African exporters greater access to the Chinese market, while creating opportunities for manufacturers seeking to expand production and add value to local resources.
The discussions in Hangzhou extended beyond traditional diplomatic relations, reflecting a broader effort by China and South Africa to cooperate on questions of development and international governance.
Before the seminar, foreign participants spent three days visiting industrial parks, businesses and rural communities in Hangzhou, Jinhua and Yiwu in Zhejiang Province. The visits were designed to give the participants a closer look at China’s approach to modernisation and economic development.
The Hangzhou meeting was the second China-South Africa human-rights seminar. The first was held in Pretoria in December 2025.
As China and South Africa deepen their partnership, development is emerging as one of the central themes of their engagement, linking economic cooperation with a wider debate over the priorities and influence of the Global South in international affairs.
