President Jacob Zuma has today, 2 September 2015, arrived in Beijing in the People's Republic of China, at the invitation of His counterpart His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, to attend the celebration marking the 70th Anniversary of the End of the Occupation of China and the Second World War.
President Zuma will also hold bilateral discussions with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Celebrations.
President Zuma and his delegation will assess the status of progress on the key areas identified under the Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation; discuss preparations for South Africa's hosting of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit on 04-05 December 2015; and provide an update on developments pertaining to the African Regional Centre (ARC) with regard to the BRICS New Development Bank. China hosts the headquarters of the recently launched BRICS Development Bank, based in Shanghai.
South Africa's relations with China are at the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), with the bilateral relationship being among the most vibrant and strategic. During the State Visit of President Zuma to China in December 2014, the two countries concluded the "Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation” between the Republic of South Africa and the People's Republic of China”.
Six priority areas were identified as the focus of the strategic relationship for 2015.
These are:
1. Alignment of industries to accelerate South Africa's industrialisation process;
2. Enhancement of cooperation in Special Economic Zones (SEZs);
3. Enhancement of marine cooperation;
4. Infrastructure development;
5. Human resource cooperation; and,
6. Financial cooperation.
President Zuma is accompanied by Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Ms Thembisile Majola-Embalo, the Deputy Minister of Energy.
Enquiries:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
E-mail: bonganim@presidency.gov.za
