President Cyril Ramaphosa told China's Xi Jinping on Monday he wanted to narrow his country's trade deficit with Beijing, days before the Chinese leader is due to urge a summit of 50 African nations to buy more Chinese goods.

Ramaphosa's remarks point to the challenge Xi may have in convincing African leaders gathered in Beijing to absorb more of the production powerhouse's wares, particularly after China did not meet a pledge from the last Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in 2021 to buy $300 billion of African goods.

With Western curbs on Chinese exports such as solar panels and electric vehicles looming, finding buyers for items that the U.S. and European Union maintain Beijing has overcapacity in is a top priority for the Chinese leader.

"As South Africa, we would like to narrow the trade deficit and address the structure of our trade," Ramaphosa told his host during talks at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, a statement from his presidential office said.

"We urge for more sustainable manufacturing and job-creating investments," Ramaphosa added ahead of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Co-operation Summit.

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