Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will receive the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on Tuesday, said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).
“President Jacob Zuma will receive the President of the People's Republic of China for a state visit and the President of the Russian Federation for a working visit to the Republic of South Africa,” said Dirco.
The President will welcome the Chinese President to the Union Buildings on Tuesday, where they will hold talks.
The two leaders are expected to sign agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Later in the day, the President will host an official lunch in honour of the Chinese President, after which Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will pay a courtesy call on the Chinese President.
Last week, President Zuma congratulated Xi on taking over as China’s new president, following the announcement on 14 March. He was appointed to the Communist Party's top post in November. He succeeded President Hu Jintao.
South Africa was looking forward to consolidating its strong relations with the People's Republic of China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.
China is South Africa’s biggest trading partner and a significant investor in the South African economy. In 2012, total trade stood at R201 billion, according to the South African Revenue Service.
The two countries are also members of the economic bloc Brics, which is to host its fifth summit in Durban in the new week.
The visit by China's new president to South Africa, scheduled to coincide with the Brics Summit (to be held from 26 -27 March), will be among the first he will be undertaking to Africa since assuming office.
Also on Tuesday, President Zuma will receive President Putin at Durban’s International Convention Centre, where they will hold official talks and will sign Memoranda of Understanding/Agreements, followed by a press conference. - SAnews.gov.za
