His Exellency Jacob G Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, will undertake a State Visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC) scheduled for 24 to 26 August 2010.
The State Visit takes place within the context of strengthening South-South cooperation with the objective of deepening and broadening the current bilateral relations to a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between South Africa and China.
Accordingly, the objective of the visit will include:
- Strengthening and broadening economic and commercial interaction between the two countries;
- Expanding South-South interaction with a view to strengthening the voice of the developing world and its capacity to address the needs of its people, and
- Demonstrating appreciation for the importance that South Africa attaches to its political, economic and cultural relationship with China.
During the visit the following agreements/memoranda of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed:
- Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,
- MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Geology and Mineral Resources,
- MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Environment Management,
- MoU on Cooperation in Transport and Related Matters,
- MoU on Cooperation in Railways and Related Matters.
It is expected that President Zuma will pay a courtesy call on the Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao; Vice President of the People's Republic of China Mr Xi Jinping; and Chairman of the National People's Congress Mr Wu Bangguo.
To further enhance and strengthen economic cooperation, a business seminar, with over 200 South African business leaders and entrepreneurs will be held in Beijing. President Zuma will also witness the signing of business contracts between South African and Chinese companies.
To further strengthen South Africa's public diplomacy, the President will interact with non-state actors beyond just business.
On 26 August 2010, President Zuma will visit Shanghai, the country's business hub in order to view the South African Pavilion at the Shanghai 2010 World Expo. The expo, which was opened on 1 May and will continue until 31 October 2010, has attracted over 100 million visitors. A business lunch will be held between SA and Chinese business executives.
South Africa's trade relations with China have expanded dramatically since the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1998, Trade statistics with China continue to reflect the potential that still exists for expanding the commercial relationship.
China became South Africa’s largest export destination by country since the start of 2009, and on the import side China remains South Africa’s largest partner, as economic and trade relations between the two countries intensified. The total trade between the two countries is R119,7 billion and grew by 2% in 2009, compared with R118 billion in 2008 thus allowing China to overtake the United States as SA's largest export destination.
China's imports from SA are dominated by ores (specifically iron ores and concentrates), as well as iron and steel, including ferro-alloys and flat-rolled products of stainless steel. South Africa’s leading imports from China are electrical machinery and electronic equipment, electrical appliances, computing and printing equipment.
Current bilateral relations between the two countries can be described as sound and cordial has further deepened and strengthened through visits by inter alia, South African Cabinet Ministers, premiers, business leaders and civil society, and reciprocal visits from the PRC.
SA intends hosting the 4th SA–PRC Binational Commission (BNC) later this year at Deputy President level. The main purpose of hosting this BNC is to invite Vice President Xi Jinping to expose him to SA. The BNC has been identified as the driving mechanism for the implementation of the CSPD.
The President is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Home Affairs Dr. NC Dlamini Zuma, Minister in the Presidency Mr Collins Chabane, Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies, Minster of Economic Development Mr. E Patel, Minister of Transport Mr Sbu Ndebele, Minister of Energy Ms D Peters, Minister of Mineral Resources Ms S Shabangu, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Ms B Sonjica, Minster of Higher Education and Training Mr B Nzimande, Minister of Tourism Mr M van Schalkwyk, and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson and a strong business delegation.
For further information please contact:
Chief Director for Public Diplomacy Mr Saul K. Molobi
Cell: +27 82 940 1647
Tel: +27 12 351 0083
E-mail: molobisk@dirco.gov.za
President’s Special Advisor on Communications, Mr Zizi Kodwa
Cell: +27 82 330 4910.
