JOHANNESBURG, Sept 23 (Reuters) - South Africa and China

launched a push for Chinese investment in sectors such as

mining, energy and infrastructure on Tuesday, at the launch of

their ninth annual trade promotion conference.

South Africa, which had no U.S. import tariffs on its goods

under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), now

faces 30% tariffs under the Trump administration, although it is

in talks to seek a better deal.

Zhang Chaoyang, chairman of the South Africa-China Economic

and Trade Association, announced that Gold One, owned by a major

Chinese state-owned enterprise, Baiyin Nonferrous Group Company

Ltd., will invest 4 billion rand ($230 million) in its gold

mining operations in Gauteng.

Additionally, the China-Africa Development Fund will bid for

South Africa's independent energy transition projects, aimed at

increasing electricity capacity through private sector

investment. Meanwhile companies such as China State Construction ( CCOHF )

are set to ramp up local procurements, Chaoyang said.

South African Deputy Trade Minister Zuko Godlimpi

underscored Pretoria's focus on Chinese investments in

manufacturing, services, energy transition and infrastructure,

calling the partnership an opportunity to forge "a mutually

beneficial future".

Chinese firms including Hisense, BAIC, Sinosteel, Faw and

Seraphim Solar already hold a strong investment footprint in

South Africa, the continent's most industrialised economy.

Official data showed Chinese foreign direct investment in

South Africa was $13.21 billion in 2024, while South African

investments in China totalled $8.05 billion.

Minerals account for 93% of South Africa's exports to China,

while 92% of Chinese exports to South Africa are manufactured

goods. Both nations have expressed a desire to rebalance this

pattern.

Chinese Ambassador Wu Peng said Chinese firms would

accelerate localisation efforts.

"If you really want to look after your long-term interests,

you must invest in South Africa," Peng said, urging Chinese

automakers to speed up factory development.

Earlier this year, Beijing pledged to expand zero-tariff

treatment to all 53 African countries with ties to China. Peng

said over 30 nations had already signed framework agreements.

($1 = 17.3075 rand)