On May 9, 2025, a significant meeting took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, as Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu, alongside the Chair of Chairs, Cllr Adolph Marema, hosted a delegation from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) of Qingyuan City, China. This bilateral engagement, shared via Speaker Mthembu’s post on X aimed to foster stronger ties between the City of Johannesburg Legislature and Qingyuan City, with a focus on good governance, economic collaboration, and urban development. As part of Speaker Mthembu’s broader “Legislature to the People” initiative, this meeting underscores Johannesburg’s commitment to addressing its pressing urban challenges through international partnerships, while Qingyuan offers a model of rapid modernization that could inspire solutions.
Johannesburg and Qingyuan: A Tale of Two Cities
Johannesburg, often dubbed the economic heartbeat of South Africa, is a bustling metropolis with a population of approximately 5.6 million (as of 2024 estimates). It is a city of contrasts—home to Africa’s largest stock exchange and a hub for global business, yet grappling with significant infrastructure challenges, including a R300 billion backlog reported by CNBC Africa in 2022. Frequent water and power outages, driven by aging facilities and underfunded infrastructure updates, have disrupted the city’s hospitals, manufacturing sectors, and overall quality of life. In 2024 alone, Johannesburg recorded over 100 days of power cuts, a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions and innovative urban management strategies.
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KFC backs potential of 200 young people with R5m in education feesQingyuan City, located in northern Guangdong Province, China, presents a different narrative. With a population of 3.97 million (2020 census), Qingyuan has evolved into a major economic and transportation hub within the Pearl River Delta, one of China’s most dynamic economic regions. The city benefits from its strategic position along the Beijing–Guangzhou Railway and National Highways 106 and 107, as well as its maritime infrastructure along the Bei (North) River, which facilitates trade with regional centers like Hong Kong and Macao.
Qingyuan’s economy has seen steady growth, contributing to China’s national GDP increase of 4.8% in 2024 (World Bank data), driven by its focus on manufacturing, modern service industries, and sustainable urban development. Often referred to as the “back garden” of Guangzhou, Qingyuan has leveraged its proximity to this megacity to integrate economically while maintaining a distinct identity with its monsoon-influenced subtropical climate and natural landscapes.
Urban Challenges and Opportunities for Collaboration
The bilateral talks between Johannesburg and Qingyuan come at a critical juncture for both cities. Johannesburg’s infrastructure woes—particularly in water, electricity, and transportation—require innovative solutions. The city’s 2022 capital budget of R7.7 billion is a fraction of what’s needed to address its infrastructure backlog, prompting leaders like Speaker Mthembu to explore decentralized energy systems and international partnerships. Qingyuan, on the other hand, offers a potential blueprint for modernization.
As part of the Guangzhou-Qingyuan Integration strategy, Qingyuan has seen its commodity market urban integration index rise to 5.07 by 2020 (Frontiers journal), reflecting strengthened economic exchanges and infrastructure development.
This integration has been supported by provincial and national policies, including China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which facilitates global cooperation through infrastructure projects and trade agreements.
One area of potential collaboration lies in transportation and logistics. Qingyuan’s advanced railway systems, such as the Qingyuan railway station on the Wuhan–Guangzhou high-speed line, and its maritime infrastructure could provide valuable lessons for Johannesburg, where public transportation systems like the Gautrain and Rea Vaya bus network face capacity and funding challenges. Johannesburg could explore adopting Qingyuan’s model of integrating rail and road networks to improve mobility for its residents, particularly in underserved areas.
Economic development is another key focus. Qingyuan’s economy is driven by manufacturing and emerging industries, with a growing emphasis on sustainability.
Johannesburg, as a financial hub, has a more service-oriented economy but struggles with unemployment and informal trading, as noted in Mthembu’s post about informal traders in Randburg.
Qingyuan’s experience in formalizing small businesses through government support could offer a pathway for Johannesburg to regulate its informal sector, creating jobs and improving compliance with city regulations. Additionally, Qingyuan’s advancements in green technology—part of China’s broader push for carbon neutrality by 2060—could inspire Johannesburg to adopt sustainable energy solutions, addressing its power crisis while reducing environmental impact.
Governance and Cultural Exchange
Good governance was a central theme of the Johannesburg-Qingyuan meeting, and both cities have unique approaches to administration.
Johannesburg operates under a municipal council system, with Speaker Mthembu, elected in August 2024 as an ActionSA member, advocating for transparency and resident-focused governance. Qingyuan, governed as a prefecture-level city under Qingcheng District, benefits from China’s centralized administrative framework, which allows for rapid policy implementation. While Johannesburg’s democratic system prioritizes public participation, Qingyuan’s model emphasizes efficiency and top-down coordination. A cultural exchange of governance practices could help Johannesburg streamline its service delivery programs, such as the High Impact Service Delivery Programme in Region B, while Qingyuan might gain insights into fostering greater community engagement.
Culturally, the two cities offer rich opportunities for exchange. Johannesburg’s vibrant arts scene, rooted in its history of overcoming apartheid, contrasts with Qingyuan’s blend of traditional Chinese culture and modern urban life. Collaborative initiatives, such as cultural festivals or educational exchanges, could strengthen people-to-people ties, fostering mutual understanding and laying the groundwork for long-term partnership.
The Broader Context: China-Africa Relations and the Belt and Road Initiative
The Johannesburg-Qingyuan talks are part of a broader trend of China-Africa cooperation, often facilitated by mechanisms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI, which has linked Chinese cities to global partners through infrastructure projects like the Chancay port in Peru (opened in November 2024), offers a framework for Johannesburg to tap into Chinese expertise and investment. While concerns about China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” persist, analyses like those from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University suggest that such fears are overstated, with projects like Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port reflecting economic regionalism rather than neocolonialism.
For Johannesburg, engaging with Qingyuan under the BRI could unlock funding and technical support for infrastructure projects, provided agreements are structured to prioritize mutual benefit.
A Path Forward for Johannesburg and Qingyuan
The May 9, 2025, meeting marks the beginning of what could be a transformative partnership between Johannesburg and Qingyuan. By learning from Qingyuan’s success in urban integration, sustainable development, and economic modernization, Johannesburg can take meaningful steps toward fixing its infrastructure challenges and improving service delivery for its residents. Conversely, Qingyuan can benefit from Johannesburg’s experience in democratic governance and cultural diversity, enriching its own administrative and social landscape.
As Speaker Mthembu continues her mission to “fix Johannesburg” and reimagine the city’s future, this collaboration with Qingyuan offers a promising avenue for innovation and growth. The road ahead will require careful negotiation, cultural sensitivity, and a shared commitment to sustainable development—but if successful, this partnership could serve as a model for how cities across the Global South and North can work together to address the urban challenges of the 21st century.
