More than 100 Chinese companies investing in South Africa have pledged to create 20,000 jobs for locals over the next three years.

The pledge was given at the Job Fair 2022 of Chinese-invested Enterprises in South Africa held in Johannesburg on Thursday. Pengxin International Mining, Bright Minerals South Africa and Huawei are some of the companies that pledged to employ many people. Huawei said it would provide 450 jobs and Pengxin 3,500 jobs in the next three years.

Such job creation would give an economic fillip to South Africa, whose unemployment rate is about 35 percent.

China's Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong said Chinese companies are committed to helping the country tackle unemployment.

"Chinese enterprises in South Africa are working hard to give stability to the production and supply chains. They together write wonderful chapters of China-South Africa win-win cooperation and common development. Let us join hands and move forward toward a bright future together."

China will import goods worth $100 billion from South Africa in the next three years, Chen said. His office is ready to facilitate trade between the two countries, he said.

Sino-South African collaboration could focus on 5G, digital economy, high-tech, e-commerce, smart cities, clean energy and vaccine production. Chinese companies are always encouraged to transfer technology and skills training for local employees, Chen said.

South Africa's Minister of Employment and Labor Thulas Nxesi thanked the Chinese companies for their pledge, which he said will go a long way in helping to reduce unemployment.

"We want to offer our sincere thanks to these and many other companies for their efforts. We urge Chinese companies to partner with South African companies－small, medium and big, to create the much-needed jobs. These collaborations will ensure that these companies get a chance to scale up to compete globally."

Chinese and South African "social partners" can develop tangible programs that will contribute to economic growth, tackle unemployment and poverty in both countries, he said, calling on other countries to emulate what the Chinese companies have done.

Alvin Botes, deputy minister of international relations and cooperation, said Sino-South Africa relations date back to the liberation struggle, evolving to mutual socioeconomic growth. The pledges show the practical relations of both countries, he said.

"This event today demonstrates China's efforts to support South Africa's objectives of eradicating the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality and is evident of the depth of our partnership. This will certainly have other spin-offs such as the transfer of expertise and skills."

Botes urged South African youths to take advantage of the offer and apply for jobs. The job fair is complementing strategic partnership and enhancing relations between China and South Africa, he said.

Botes said South Africa is willing to work with China in G20, BRICS, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, promoting South-South cooperation and in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.