PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Zuma visits China
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) - South Africa's President Jacob Zuma was billed to begin a two-day viist to China Thursday, at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.
Ahead of the trip, Hu on Wednesday announced taht China would offer US$20 billion in new loans to Africa – double the amount Beijing agreed to lend to Africa in 2009.
The Chinese President said the loans would focus on supporting infrastructure, manufacturing and the development of small businesses in Africa.
President Zuma’s visit to Beijing takes place within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership concluded between South Africa and China in August 2010.
The two leaders will exchange views on how to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, coordination within the G20, strengthening of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Forum and broader international developments.
President Zuma will also attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), during which he will deliver an address.
South Africa will assume Co-Chairmanship of the FOCAC Partnership from Egypt, on behalf of Africa, for the next six years.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is one of the most strategic partnerships between Africa and its development partnerships.
The 5th FOCAC Ministerial Conference is also expected to review the implementation of the follow-up actions of the 4th FOCAC Sharm El Sheikh Action Plan (2010-2012) and adopt the 5th FOCAC Ministerial Conference Beijing Declaration and 5th FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2013-2015).
President Zuma is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Collins Chabane, and Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies.
-0- PANA CU/SEG 19July2012
Ahead of the trip, Hu on Wednesday announced taht China would offer US$20 billion in new loans to Africa – double the amount Beijing agreed to lend to Africa in 2009.
The Chinese President said the loans would focus on supporting infrastructure, manufacturing and the development of small businesses in Africa.
President Zuma’s visit to Beijing takes place within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership concluded between South Africa and China in August 2010.
The two leaders will exchange views on how to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, coordination within the G20, strengthening of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Forum and broader international developments.
President Zuma will also attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), during which he will deliver an address.
South Africa will assume Co-Chairmanship of the FOCAC Partnership from Egypt, on behalf of Africa, for the next six years.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is one of the most strategic partnerships between Africa and its development partnerships.
The 5th FOCAC Ministerial Conference is also expected to review the implementation of the follow-up actions of the 4th FOCAC Sharm El Sheikh Action Plan (2010-2012) and adopt the 5th FOCAC Ministerial Conference Beijing Declaration and 5th FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2013-2015).
President Zuma is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Collins Chabane, and Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies.
-0- PANA CU/SEG 19July2012
