A tremendous success is how President Jacob Zuma describes his recent visit to China.

In a statement issued by the Presidency, President Zuma said, “The visit has significantly strengthened our relations with China who are ready to work with South Africa to effectively implement all the plans and agreements that we have signed, particularly the 5 to 10 Year Framework on Cooperation which aims to further enhance the implementation of the outcomes of the Bi-National Commission and the Inter-ministerial Joint Working Group established recently.”

“During the visit we have signed several agreements that will deepen our relations and President Xi Jinping and his government declared that China was ready to invest and work with South Africa in various sectors such as infrastructure development, ocean and green economies, science and technology, agriculture, environment, finance and other important sectors to ensure that we achieve the objectives of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome the government to government as well as private sector agreements entered into during this visit. The conclusion of these agreements is directly linked to our collective objectives, as laid out in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which guides our bilateral engagements. The private sector agreements reflect progress in the drive to deliver on our mandate to eradicate unemployment and reduce poverty and inequality in South Africa.”

President Zuma held official talks with his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping during the two day visit in Beijing.

China has also declared its readiness to work with African countries to invest in sustainable infrastructure programmes such as roads, railways and other strategic economic programmes which will create a conducive trade environment in the region.

The BRICS new Development Bank was also discussed during the official talks, and both parties agreed on the establishment and operationalisation of the bank as soon as possible.
“South Africa is keen to ensure that the Bank’s African Regional Centre provides further impetus to the strategic relationship that was forged between the BRICS and African leadership in 2013 in Durban, to enhance economic development for the continent.

“We will cooperate with China to ensure that the Shanghai Headquarters and the African Regional Centre in South Africa are established as per agreed timelines. We have prioritised the ratification of the agreement establishing the Bank. South Africa has also instituted committees to make the African Regional Centre operational,” President Zuma said.

The President said measures to promote industrialisation and regional integration included the relaxation of customs and tax regulations that will assist with expediting and facilitating the movement of goods and services within the region.