‘I've met the Chinese ambassador over MEC Meyer's ban' – Western Cape Premier Winde

Daily Maverick

08-05-2025

South Africa-China relations once again came under the spotlight in the Western Cape Legislature as the fallout over the banning from China of MEC Ivan Meyer continues.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says he has met both MEC Ivan Meyer and Chinese officials over the ongoing fallout in the provincial legislature over Meyer's ban from visiting China, after a trip to Taiwan.
Winde revealed this during a debate in the legislature on Thursday, 8 May on Meyer's ban, which dates back to January.
Two weeks ago, the African National Congress (ANC) staged a walkout in support of its caucus member Rachel Windgovel, who was asked to leave the sitting after she refused to apologise for claiming Meyer's trip to Taiwan 'betrayed' South Africa.
Meyer was not physically present in the chamber on Thursday and has remained silent on the issue. It came up during a mini-debate, after ANC leader of the opposition Khalid Sayed asked if Meyer's trip potentially jeopardised trade relations with China.
Winde told members of the legislature: 'I have had a meeting with the Chinese ambassador on this specific subject, also with the consul general.'
He also said he had discussed the issue with Meyer, who serves as MEC of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism. Winde did not go into any further details.
Winde said Meyer's trip was 'not an official engagement conducted on behalf of the Western Cape government or any of its entities'.
Winde continued, 'It was conducted strictly in his personal and private capacity and not as a member of this government… If the honourable member probably realises that, it was the ANC that actually made his father a consul general in that country, and, of course, then you find personal relationships.'
Meyer's father, Piet Meyer, was a member of the Western Cape executive who also served as an ambassador to Taiwan. He died in 2020.
Trade relations
During the debate, Winde said, 'We deeply value our ties and friendship with the People's Republic of China, especially our long-standing regional partnership with Shandong province.'
He said the partnership with China was the first of its kind for an SA province.
'Our relations with China have benefited the Western Cape not only in terms of trade and investment, but also in terms of sustainable development, innovation and entrepreneurship at large.'
The ANC's Sayed said, 'The recent visit to Taiwan by MEC Meyer does, in fact, run the risk of jeopardising and straining the Western Cape's and indeed South Africa's vital diplomatic trade and investment relations with the People's Republic of China, especially considering South Africa's official foreign policy position regarding the One China policy'.
In response, the DA's Bennedicta van Minnen said, referring to Sayed: 'Just eight days ago, the honourable member proudly showed footage on X of himself engaging with Russian representatives, recklessly risking our trade relations with Europe and the United States.'
Personal vs public roles
During the debate, the Good party's Brett Herron said there was a fundamental principle: 'When you are an elected official, the lines between your personal and public life are inevitably blurred. This is not just a matter of perception; it is a matter of responsibility.'
Herron said Meyer, in his government role, held a position of trust.
'His foremost duty is to protect and advance the economic interests of this province. So how can that duty be effectively carried out if he is personally banned from entering China, our largest trading partner in Asia?'
'If the MEC visited Taiwan in a personal capacity, the question of what exactly happened, or how egregious was his behaviour, to lead to a ban? On the other hand, if he met with Taiwanese officials, the trip cannot fall under the banner of a personal visit.'
Herron continued: 'Let us be clear: China is not just another market. It is a key player in our province's export strategy, tourism potential and foreign investment pipeline. Being banned from engaging directly with Chinese officials and business representatives places MEC Meyer in a compromised position. It limits his ability to build relationships, attract investment and promote trade, all of which are critical functions of his portfolio.'
Ferlon Christians from the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) questioned why the ANC wanted to have a political debate on the issue, as the trip had been in Meyer's private capacity.
'How can we … tell members you cannot go to China, you cannot go to America because you're a member of the house, or you are the executive, you cannot do that?' he said.
The controversy dates back to January 2025, following a Daily Maverick report about Meyer and his family being barred by the Chinese embassy in Pretoria from visiting China, Hong Kong and Macao.
The embassy said at the time that it regarded Meyer's visit as 'blatantly violating' Beijing's One China policy.
The issue emerged as South Africa instructed the Taiwan representative office to vacate its Pretoria premises and relocate to another city.
Beijing rigorously applies a One China policy, insisting that any country that recognises China must not in any way give diplomatic recognition to Taiwan. At the end of 1997, South Africa switched recognition from Taiwan to China, but formally agreed to allow Taiwan to continue an official presence in Pretoria under the name 'Taipei Liaison Office'. DM