China and South Africa share great potential to partner on climate finance and the green transition, combining South Africa's rich mineral resources with China's advanced clean energy technology, said Sthembiso Dlamini, CEO of Growth and Development Agency of Gauteng, South Africa. This partnership embodies the G20’s vision of sustainable and equitable development, she said. As the first African country to hold the G20 presidency, South Africa has set solidarity, equality, and sustainability as the theme of the 2025 summit. Meanwhile, China proposed in its 15th five-year plan to accelerate the comprehensive green transition of economic and social development. The shared strategic vision, according to Dlamini, highlights the potential of cooperation on green sectors between not only China and South Africa, but Africa countries at large. "Cooperation potential between China and Africa in this space is very strong. South Africa's G20 theme of solidarity, equality, and sustainability aligns very closely with China's commitment to a comprehensive green transition. China is rapidly scaling in clean energy, while, Africa, as we know, many African countries hold the critical minerals that are needed for the transition, from cobalt to lithium, platinum, palladium, manganese, and graphite," she said. The rich mineral resources laid a solid foundation for green energy development, attracting global investors and researchers to join the course towards a greener South Africa. Local authorities, she highlighted, are also devoting efforts in green sectors, facilitating domestic green energy projects like the Gauteng Hydrogen Valley. "South Africa plays a very central role in this value chain. We hold, as a country, approximately 75 percent of global platinum reserves and 40 percent of palladium, both of which are essential for hydrogen fuel cells. This is why projects that were implemented in Gauteng like Gauteng's hydrogen valley in the Vaal, are so important because they connect our mineral strength with clean energy technologies. So the hydrogen valley brings together industries, universities, and investors to really build a comprehensive green hydrogen ecosystem, which really spans through research, production, as well as mobility and manufacturing applications," she said. China and South Africa, reciprocating in resources, technologies, and green finance, should hold hands to facilitate the shared ambition of green energy transition. "China's goal of meeting most of its new electricity demand with clean energy complements South Africa's Just Energy Transition partnerships, which really focus on shifting to renewables while protecting jobs in our communities. By investing in projects like Hydrogen Valley, Solar and wind infrastructure, and modernization of our electricity grid, Chinese partners can actually help us, as South Africa, to accelerate transition while opening new markets for technology and finance," she said. "In short, China brings the technology, they bring the scale and climate finance, while Africa, and Gauteng in particular, offers the minerals, the industrial capacity, and skilled workforce to localize the production. Together we can really move from exporting raw materials to building a shared green value chain, creating jobs, and ensuring a fair and just transition. So that's the kind of mutual beneficial partnerships that embody the G20 vision," she concluded. SHOTLIST: FILE: Beijing, China - Date Unknown 1. Various of Tian'anmen Square, national flag of China; FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Feb 2025 2. Aerial shot of cityscape; FILE: Pretoria, South Africa - August 2023 3. National flag of South Africa; South Africa - Recent 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sthembiso Dlamini, CEO, Gauteng Growth, Development Agency (starting with shot 3/partially overlaid with shots 5-6/ending with shot 7): "Cooperation potential between China and Africa in this space is very strong. South Africa's G20 theme of solidarity, equality, and sustainability aligns very closely with China's commitment to a comprehensive green transition. China is rapidly scaling in clean energy, while, Africa, as we know, many African countries hold the critical minerals that are needed for the transition, from cobalt to lithium, platinum, palladium, manganese, and graphite."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Durban, South Africa - July 18, 2025 5. Various of G20 2025 logo, flags, sign reading (English) "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability"; FILE: China - Date Unknown 6. Various of solar panels, wind turbines; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Date Unknown 7. Aerial shot of mining area; South Africa - Recent 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sthembiso Dlamini, CEO, Gauteng Growth, Development Agency (ending with shots 9-12): "South Africa plays a very central role in this value chain. We hold, as a country, approximately 75 percent of global platinum reserves and 40 percent of palladium, both of which are essential for hydrogen fuel cells. This is why projects that were implemented in Gauteng like Gauteng's hydrogen valley in the Vaal, are so important because they connect our mineral strength with clean energy technologies. So the hydrogen valley brings together industries, universities, and investors to really build a comprehensive green hydrogen ecosystem, which really spans through research, production, as well as mobility and manufacturing applications."; FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Date Unknown 9. Heavy duty vehicles at mine site; 10. Various of mine cars moving; FILE: Gauteng Province, South Africa - Date Unknown 11. Various of mining operations in progress; FILE: Johannesburg, South Africa - Date Unknown 12. Various of plant, facilities, workers; South Africa - Recent 13. SOUNDBITE (English) Sthembiso Dlamini, CEO, Gauteng Growth, Development Agency (ending with shot 14): "China's goal of meeting most of its new electricity demand with clean energy complements South Africa's Just Energy Transition partnerships, which really focus on shifting to renewables while protecting jobs in our communities. By investing in projects like Hydrogen Valley, Solar and wind infrastructure, and modernization of our electricity grid, Chinese partners can actually help us, as South Africa, to accelerate transition while opening new markets for technology and finance."; FILE: Northern Cape Province, South Africa - 2024 14. Aerial shots of solar farm, heliostats; FILE: Northern Cape Province, South Africa - Date Unknown 15. Aerial shots of wind turbines; vehicle running; livestock; FILE: South Africa – Date Unknown 16. Various of distribution boxes, sign on box reading "clean energy for Africa"; South Africa - Recent 17. SOUNDBITE (English) Sthembiso Dlamini, CEO, Gauteng Growth, Development Agency (starting with shots 15-16/ending with shot 18): "In short, China brings the technology, they bring the scale and climate finance, while Africa, and Gauteng in particular, offers the minerals, the industrial capacity, and skilled workforce to localize the production. Together we can really move from exporting raw materials to building a shared green value chain, creating jobs, and ensuring a fair and just transition. So that's the kind of mutual beneficial partnerships that embody the G20 vision."; FILE: Durban, South Africa - July 18, 2025 18. Various of G20 2025 logo, flags of G20 members. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]