On 18 September 2026, Consul General Ren Faqiang of the Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town visited the Port of Cape Town and met with Mr Yacoob Hartley, Senior Manager for the Western Cape of Transnet Port Terminals (TPT).

Mr Hartley welcomed Consul General Ren to the Port of Cape Town and gave a detailed briefing on the port’s operations and development. He expressed the readiness of Transnet Port Terminals to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in port construction, operations and management, further enhance the role of ports in facilitating bilateral trade, and contribute to greater progress in South Africa-China economic and trade cooperation.

Consul General Ren briefed Mr Hartley on the latest developments in China-South Africa economic and trade relations following China’s implementation, from 1 May this year, of zero-tariff treatment for all African countries with which China has diplomatic relations. Ren stated that Port logistics is vital to trade and economic exchanges between China and South Africa. The Consulate-General is willing to serve as a bridge to facilitate exchanges and cooperation between the Port of Cape Town and its counterparts in China.