South Africa has asked its trading and BRICS partner, China, to postpone naval exercises that were planned for the end of November 2025.
This request comes as the country prepares for the G20 Summit, scheduled for 22–23 November in Johannesburg.
In consultation with the Presidency and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the Department of Defence is engaging its counterparts in the People’s Republic of China on a postponement of the exercise to a mutually suitable date.
Three Major Events at the Same Time
In that week, South Africa is expected to manage three major responsibilities simultaneously:
G20 Summit – A major international meeting that will involve world leaders.
Donald Trump’s Visit – The former US President may be present around the time of the summit, and his presence could bring significant security and media challenges.
China’s Naval Exercises – The so-called “Mosi” exercises involve warships and a large number of military personnel in South African waters.
The government recognizes that handling all these events at once would be impossible due to security and logistical pressures.
According to the South African government, the main priority is the G20 Summit, which is a major point on the international agenda. Adding naval exercises during this period could strain critical resources such as warships, aircraft, and intelligence support needed for the summit.
Additionally, the government wants to avoid raising suspicion or alarm among Western countries attending the summit, which could perceive the naval exercises as a threat or provocation.
“This is to ensure that the exercises do not impact on the logistical, security and other arrangements associated with South Africa’s G20 Presidency,” the department stated.
Trump’s Visit as a Special Factor
A potential visit by Donald Trump adds unique pressure. His presence would require extensive security arrangements, leaving little room for simultaneous naval exercises.
The government also wants to avoid any tense imagery, in case the US President’s visit coincides with Chinese naval ships in South African waters.
Relationship with China Continues
Although a postponement has been requested, the government emphasizes that the Mosi exercises are not canceled—they will be held at a later, more suitable date. This shows that military and diplomatic ties between China and South Africa remain strong, only adjusted for scheduling purposes.
According to officials, South Africa is effectively managing “diplomatic traffic.”
With multiple major events happening at once, the government is prioritizing:
- Securing the G20 Summit,
- Managing the resource-intensive visit of Donald Trump, and,
- Temporarily rescheduling the display of military cooperation with China.
“In the last few years, the SANDF has conducted joint and multinational military exercises with countries such as Brazil, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States,” the department said.