Pres Zuma to join in China's Victory Day celebrations

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will be among other world leaders invited to attend China's celebrations to commemorate China's victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the end of the World War II.

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 be celebrated on the 3rd of September. It 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.

About 30 Heads of State, leaders of government or representatives of leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Korean President Park Geun-hye, and the Presidents of Belarus and Vietnam will attend events in Beijing.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other leaders of international organisations are also scheduled to attend the celebrations.

Apart from participating in the celebrations, President Zuma and his delegation will use the visit to assess the status of progress on the key areas identified under the Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation, which was signed in December 2014.

Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit

They will also discuss preparations for South Africa’s hosting of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit on 4-5 December 2015, said International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers

The two countries, which are co-chairs of FOCAC, will review the implementation of tasks set in the last meeting in 2009, explore new ways to deepen China-Africa relations and improve the forum's mechanism.

The FOCAC meeting is also expected to forge a new cooperation plan for the coming three years and exchange views on major international and regional issues.

SA, China’s bilateral relations

“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,” said Deputy Minister Landers on Wednesday.

In addition, to reinforce the commitment made in December 2014, the two sides have further agreed that six priority areas identified for 2015 will be implemented.

This includes the alignment of industries to accelerate South Africa’s industrialisation process - as a key driver of the economy, enhancement of cooperation in Special Economic Zones (SEZs); the enhancement of marine cooperation; infrastructure development; human resource cooperation as well as financial cooperation.

Both the governments are actively striving to realise the comprehensive strategic partnership which is mutually beneficial for the good of their key government priorities. - SAnews.gov.za