Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will this week visit China, where he has been invited to attend the 70th Anniversary of the End of the Occupation of China and the Second World War (WWII), in Beijing.
President Zuma is among dozens of statesmen invited to witness the military parade celebrations of China.
Among those who will attend include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republic of Korea (RoK) President Park Geun-hye, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. Japan signed its formal surrender on 2 September 1945, and China celebrated its victory the following day.
The day, known as Victory Day in China, will see a series of commemorative events, including a rally, a military parade, a reception and an evening gala will be held in the capital, Beijing.
The event is due to take place on Thursday at Beijing's Tian'anmen Square.
Apart from participating in the celebrations, President Zuma and Chinese President Xi Jinping will use the opportunity to also hold bilateral talks on the margins of the event.
“President Zuma and his delegation are expected to assess the status of progress on the key areas identified under the Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation; discuss preparations for South Africa’s hosting of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit on 04-05 December 2015; and provide an update on developments pertaining to the African Regional Centre (ARC) with regard to the BRICS New Development Bank.
“China hosts the headquarters of the recently launched BRICS Development Bank, based in Shanghai,” said the Presidency on Sunday.
South Africa’s relations with China are at the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), with the bilateral relationship being among the most vibrant and strategic.
During President Zuma’s visit to China in December last year, the two countries concluded the “Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation” between the Republic of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China.
Six priority areas were identified as the focus of the strategic relationship for 2015.
These include the alignment of industries to accelerate South Africa’s industrialisation process; enhancement of co-operation in Special Economic Zones (SEZs); enhancement of marine co-operation; infrastructure development; human resource co-operation; and financial co-operation.
President Zuma will be accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Energy Deputy Minister Thembisile Majola. - SAnews.gov.za
