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Deputy President Jacob Zuma Arrives
in China, 26 September 2004
Deputy President Jacob Zuma today, 26 September 2004,
arrived in Shenzhen, China, to begin his Official Visit
ending on 30 September.
The Deputy President is accompanied by:
- Minister Thoko Didiza of Agriculture and Land Affairs;
- Minister Lindiwe Sisulu of Housing;
- Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad of Foreign Affairs;
- Deputy Minister Lulama Xingwana of Minerals and
Energy; and
- Deputy Minister Lindiwe Hendricks of Trade and Industry
The Deputy President's visit will cover the cities
of Shenzhen, Beijing and Xi'an. His engagements will
include discussions with his counterpart, Vice President
Zeng Qinghong, a courtesy call on President Hu Jintao,
and a meeting with Mr Wu Bangguo, Chairperson of the
National People's Congress, Premier Wen Jiabao and Governor
Cheng Andong of Shaanxi Province. He will also interact
with the business community and African diplomats based
in China.
The visit is aimed at strengthening political and economic
relations between the two countries, and will also focus
on promoting the New Partnership for Africa's Development
(NEPAD), peace and development on the African continent
and maintaining the momentum of existing bilateral trade
relations.
South Africa and China have structured relations in
the form of a Bi-national Commission, which held its
last meeting in Pretoria in June 2004. During the meeting
of the Commission, the Vice President of People's Republic
of China, Mr Zeng Qinghong, invited Deputy President
Zuma to visit China to further enhance the relations
between the two nations.
Since diplomatic relations were established between
South Africa and China in 1998, bilateral relations
have expanded rapidly in the political, economic, technological,
cultural, educational and scientific fields. As a rapidly
rising 9economic giant, a permanent member of the United
Nations Security Council and the largest developing
country in the world, China is seen as a strategic partner
of South Africa.
During the BNC in June bilateral agreements that were
signed were, among others, on Education, Protocol of
Phytosanitary Requirements for the Citrus Export from
South Africa to the People's Republic of China and cooperation
between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry South Africa
(CHAMSA) and The China Council for Promotion of International
Trade (CCPIT).
South Africa is the largest trading partner of China
in Africa. The trade volume between China and South
Africa has increased from R 9.3 billion in 1990 to R
23, 3 billion in 2003.
Beijing is particularly interested in specific South
African technologies, such as mining, electricity supply
and power stations, water management, solar energy,
pollution control, military technologies and nuclear
research.
Enquiries: Lakela Kaunda
Tel: 098 61 350 126 3644
Issued by: The Presidency
26 September 2004
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