In the process of promoting the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Africa cooperation in infrastructure construction in the field of transportation has been fruitful. On October 12, Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng met with the Minister of Transport of South Africa, Fikile Mbalula, and the two sides exchanged views on issues of common concern. Li Tianbi, Chief Engineer of the Ministry and Director of the Water Transport Bureau, attended the video meeting.

Under the requirements of accelerating the construction of a powerful transportation country, Li Xiaopeng pointed out that cooperation in the field of transportation has always been an important part of the traditional friendly relations between China and South Africa. We are willing to work with the Ministry of Transport of South Africa to promote the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on inter-departmental cooperation, make good use of the platform of the China-South Africa Transport Cooperation Working Committee, and deepen and expand bilateral transport cooperation under the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Strategic partnership and building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future to make due contributions.

To further strengthen the sustainable development of the transportation sector, and promote the construction of cooperation between the two countries. Fikile Mbalula said that the Ministry of Transport of the South attaches great importance to deepening pragmatic and friendly exchanges and cooperation with the Ministry of Transport of China and expanding the cooperation space in railways, aviation, maritime affairs, and capacity building. It is hoped that in accordance with the new memorandum of understanding on inter-departmental cooperation with the Ministry of Transport of China, we will continue to strengthen communication and exchanges under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to promote the development of the domestic transportation industry and new progress in the transportation cooperation between the two countries. Li Xiaopeng expressed his gratitude to Fikile Mbalula for confirming that he led the delegation to attend the 2nd United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference online. Editor/Xu Shengpeng