China, South Africa Seek Deeper Cooperation in Housing and Human Settlements

Pretoria – Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng met with Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane on 14 January 2026 to explore stronger cooperation in housing delivery and urban development, as both countries look to address growing housing needs and improve living conditions for their citizens.

The meeting, held in Pretoria, was attended by senior officials from the Department of Human Settlements, including Director-General Dr Alec Moemi and Deputy Director-General Ms Sindisiwe Ngxongo, reflecting the importance of the engagement at both diplomatic and technical levels.

Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Wu praised the long-standing relationship between China and South Africa and highlighted the potential for expanded collaboration in the human settlements sector. “China and South Africa enjoy strong and friendly relations, and housing and urban-rural development present important opportunities for practical cooperation,” Wu said.

He noted that China has accumulated extensive experience in large-scale housing projects, urban planning, and rural development over the years. “China is willing to deepen exchanges, strengthen mutual learning, and promote concrete cooperation with South Africa in relevant fields, so that our cooperation can deliver real benefits to the people of both countries,” the Ambassador added.

Minister Simelane welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the South African government’s commitment to improving access to adequate housing. She said human settlements remain a national priority, particularly in light of ongoing housing backlogs and increasing urbanisation. “The development of sustainable human settlements is central to improving the quality of life of our people,” Simelane said.

She expressed interest in learning from China’s experience in housing construction and urban development, especially in the area of innovation. “We are keen to strengthen exchanges with China on innovative building technologies and efficient construction methods, which can assist South Africa in improving housing delivery and raising the standard of basic housing,” the Minister said.

Simelane also stressed the importance of continued collaboration beyond policy discussions. “Partnerships between our departments, technical experts, and institutions are essential if we are to build capacity and develop long-term solutions to housing challenges,” she said.

Officials from the Department of Human Settlements echoed the need for knowledge sharing and skills development, noting that innovation and technology are increasingly important in meeting demand and improving service delivery across the housing sector.

The meeting comes as China and South Africa continue to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, which spans trade, infrastructure development, skills training, and people-to-people exchanges. Cooperation in housing and urban development is seen as a practical extension of this broader relationship.

As both countries face similar challenges related to urban growth and housing demand, observers say sustained dialogue and cooperation could lead to tangible outcomes that support inclusive development and improved living standards.

The engagement between Ambassador Wu Peng and Minister Thembi Simelane marks a positive step toward deeper cooperation between China and South Africa, with human settlements emerging as a key area for shared learning and practical collaboration