Deputy President Motlanthe to Co-chair the 4th Bi-National Commission, Cape Town, South Africa, on 16-19 November 2010

South Africa’s Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will co-chair the 4th Bi-National Commission with his counterpart Vice President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China scheduled for 16-19 November in Cape Town, South Africa.

The 4th BNC takes place within the context of strengthening South-South Cooperation and the BNC is seen as a useful vehicle in reviewing progress and identifying a way forward on areas of co-operation between China and South Africa.

Accordingly, the 4th SA-China BNC will provide the first opportunity to implement the Beijing Declaration on the Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and set a precedent for the future BNCs. This will contribute to SA’s domestic development imperatives and economic priorities, which are, access to quality education, improved health care, comprehensive rural development, creation of decent jobs and fighting crime and corruption.

During the meeting both principals will engage each other on, among others, the following issues:

• The strengthening and deepening of political relations between the two countries
• Strengthening of bilateral economic and trade relations
• Strengthening cooperation on the foreign policy of advancing the African Agenda; and
• Strengthening coordination and consolidation on multilateral positions.

It is expected that Vice President Xi will pay a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr JG Zuma, and Mr MV Sisulu, Speaker of the National Assembly respectively.

Deputy President Motlanthe will be accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Mr E Ebrahim; Minister of Economic Development, Mr E Patel; Minister of Energy, Ms D Peters; Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr G Oliphant; Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr D Hanekom; Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Mr E Godongwana; and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry; Ms T Tobias-Pokolo.

For more information, please contact the Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr Saul Kgomotso Molobi, on 082 940 1647, +27 12 351 0083 or e-mail him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation
OR Tambo Building
Private Bag x152
Pretoria, RSA
0001

14 November 2010