South Africa and China have agreed on key measures to deepen cooperation in digital education, technical skills development and student mobility.
The agreement followed bilateral talks between Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela and Vice Minister of Education of China Xu Qiangsen held on the sidelines of the World Digital Education Conference in Hangzhou on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The meeting also formulated a framework aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), vocational training and industry-linked education pathways.
The agreed outcomes include the establishment of a structured cooperation framework on AI in education and digital transformation, and the creation of a joint technical working group to oversee the implementation of China-South Africa business and technical hubs in all nine provinces.
Both countries are also committed to expanding technical and vocational education and training (TVET) cooperation, aligning programs with key industrial sectors including AI, robotics, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
Manmela said the partnership is moving beyond isolated projects to a more coordinated system of cooperation that directly supports industrialization, employment and youth development.
“This engagement is about translating political commitments into practical outcomes that deliver results at scale,” he said.
The bilateral meeting also resolved to strengthen scholarship programs with a shift towards aligning funding with South Africa's industrial priorities.
These include AI, engineering, green energy, advanced manufacturing and development of TVET lecturers.
Currently, South Africa and China are jointly piloting a number of scholarship programmes, including initiatives targeting youth out of education, employment or training (NEET), as well as sector-specific training supported by the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA).
Both countries agreed to expand postgraduate study opportunities and joint research initiatives as part of the next phase of cooperation.
The main focus of the discussions was to strengthen the education-to-employment pathways, strengthening existing collaboration between South African and Chinese institutions.
This includes a partnership with Beijing Polytechnic College, where a group of South African TVET students completed specialized training in new energy vehicles and hybrid technologies, with Chinese automaker BYD committing to provide internships and employment opportunities.
Another key outcome is better alignment of short-term training programs with South Africa's developmental priorities.
Future programs will focus on areas such as AI governance, digital learning systems, industrial policy and digital public infrastructure with the aim of strengthening institutional capacity in government and post-school education sector.
towards a strategic partnership
The bilateral engagement builds on commitments made during the 9th session of the South Africa-China Bi-National Commission earlier this year, where the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in various fields.
Manmela said South Africa sees the partnership as part of a broader strategy to position the country as a gateway to China-Africa cooperation in education and skills development.
“We are ready to move from a relationship defined by individual projects to one characterized by coordinated systems cooperation,” he said.
“South Africa is ready to move away from a relationship characterized by isolated projects towards coordinated systems cooperation, cooperation that contributes directly to industrialization, employment, youth development and the building of capable institutions on both sides,” Manamela said. – sanews.gov.za