President Jacob. G. Zuma arrives back in the country after a successful State Visit to the People’s Republic of China

President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Jacob G. Zuma, will arrive in the country today, Friday, 27 August 2010, after undertaking a successful State Visit to the People’s Republic of China.

President Zuma’s visit to China came within the context of South Africa's priority to consolidate South-South Relations and strengthening political, economic and trade relations with the Peoples Republic of China.

Accordingly, the visit came at a time when South Africa is marking their 12 years of China-South Africa relations since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1998 and also participating in the Shanghai Expo where he visited and toured the African, South African and China Pavilion respectively.

During the visit the two countries signed one agreement and six memoranda of understanding, aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties and to implement areas of cooperation. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership declaration covers many facets of the South Africa-China bilateral relationship.

A key element of this expanded Partnership is the Partnership for Growth and Development, focusing on key issues such as beneficiation and value addition to resources, infrastructure, market access and trade to the SADC region and Africa as a whole. The comprehensive strategic partnership declaration will guide South Africa’s overall interaction with China over the next ten to fifteen years.

President Zuma also gave a public lecture at the Renmin University in Beijing where he highlighted the importance of global governance.

President Zuma was 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.

President Zuma and delegation will arrive in South Africa on 27 August 2010.

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 Adviser on Communications, Mr Zizi Kodwa, on +27 82 330 4910.

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

27 August 2010