China is SA(and the worlds) biggest trading partner. The opportunities in pax and freight are there.
Factually correct, but SAA lacks the management skill set in every respect to make it happen. Competing with the likes of Cathay, Air China and SQ for market share in China is a non-starter. The bumbling inadequacies of SAA "management" may be tolerated in Africa, but every slip in the lucrative Asian market will be rapidly seized on by your competition and exploited to the max.
SAA haven't a hope if that's where they think their salvation lies.