President Jacob Zuma arrives in the People’s Republic of China for a State Visit, 24-26 August 2010

H.E Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, has today, 23 August 2010, arrived in the People’s Republic of China for a State Visit scheduled for 24-26 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 objectives of the visit 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 and/ 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

President Zuma will also 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 an unprecedented delegation of over 350 SA Business representatives will be held in Beijing. President Zuma will also witness the signing of a number of business contracts between South African and Chinese companies.

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 was opened on 1 May and will continue until 31 October 2010. It 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 US 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.

President Zuma 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; Minister 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; Minister 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 .

For further information please contact Chief Director for Public Diplomacy Mr Saul K. Molobi on +27 82 940 1647, +27 12 351 0083 or email him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za.  Alternatively, please call President’s Special Advisor on Communications, Mr Zizi Kodwa, on +27 82 330 4910.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
460 Soutpansberg
Rietondale
0001

23 August 2010