South Africa Requests China to Delay Naval Exercises During G20 Summit Hosting

South Africa's Department of Defence has requested China to postpone naval exercises scheduled during the G20 summit. This aims to ensure security and logistical arrangements for the event, which US President Donald Trump may attend.

South Africa's Department of Defence has requested China to delay naval exercises involving Chinese and Russian warships. These exercises were planned to coincide with the Group of 20 summit in South Africa. The summit is scheduled for November 22 and 23 in Johannesburg. US President Donald Trump has been invited, but his attendance remains uncertain due to his critical stance on South Africa.

The naval exercises are part of a biennial agreement between South Africa, China, and Russia, all members of the BRICS bloc. This year's exercises were set for late November, with China leading them in South African waters. The Defence Department stated that the postponement request aims to prevent disruptions to logistical and security arrangements linked to South Africa's G20 Presidency.

G20 Summit Attendance Uncertain

There is no confirmation yet on whether China has agreed to postpone the naval exercises. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected at the G20 summit, along with leaders from France, Germany, and the UK. Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to attend due to an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest related to the Ukraine conflict. As a signatory to the court's statutes, South Africa would be obliged to act on this warrant.

In early 2023, South Africa hosted Chinese and Russian warships, which strained its relations with Western countries, including the US. If Trump attends the G20 summit, he would be present alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping. After a tense meeting at the White House in May, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Trump's intention to attend the summit.

US-South Africa Relations

However, Trump later expressed doubts about attending, citing issues with South Africa's policies. "I think maybe I'll send somebody else because I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies," Trump stated. He accused South Africa's Black-led government of anti-white policies domestically and an anti-American foreign policy stance.

South Africa has refuted Trump's claims of being anti-white and anti-American. At the end of this year, it will transfer the rotating presidency of the G20 to the US. Meanwhile, China's military strength was displayed in a grand parade in Beijing marking World War II's end anniversary. Putin attended this event alongside Xi Jinping.

With inputs from PTI