Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa’s Department of Defence has requested a postponement of joint exercises with the Russian and Chinese navies scheduled for November.
The planned initiative would have coincided with South Africa’s hosting of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, and the military wants to ensure that they “do not impact on the logistical, security and other arrangements” for that meeting.
"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," it said in a statement received by PANA.
South Africa has participated in two previous naval drills with China and Russia. The three countries form part of the five-nation BRICS bloc that also includes Brazil and India. The last exercise in 2023 coincided with the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and drew sharp criticism from the United States and Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump last week confirmed that he will not be attending the G20, but he will be represented by Vice President JD Vance.
The G20 summit has been scheduled for 22 and 23 November.
-0- PANA CU/MA 9Sept2025
