Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will arrive back in South Africa today after a successful three-day state visit to China.
Zuma's visit to China came within the context of South Africa's priority to consolidate South-South relations and strengthening political, economic and trade relations with the Peoples Republic of China, said the Presidency in a statement.
China became South Africa's largest export destination by country at start of 2009, and is South Africa's largest partner when it comes to imports.
South Africa marked 12 years of China-South Africa relations since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1998 and also participating in the Shanghai Expo where he visited and toured the African, South African and China Pavilion respectively.
According to the department, the two countries signed one agreement and six memoranda of understanding, aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties and to implement areas of cooperation. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership declaration covers many facets of the South Africa-China bilateral relationship.
"A key element of this expanded partnership is the partnership for growth and development, focusing on key issues such as beneficiation and value addition to resources, infrastructure, market access and trade to the SADC region and Africa as a whole.
"The comprehensive strategic partnership declaration will guide South Africa's overall interaction with China over the next ten to fifteen years," said the Presidency.
During his visit, President Zuma also gave a public lecture at the Renmin University in Beijing where he highlighted the importance of global governance.
A business seminar, involving more than 200 South African businesses was held in Beijing, where it was expected that contracts between South African and Chinese companies would be signed.
President Zuma was accompanied by several ministers including the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister of Home Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma; Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane; Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies; Minister of Transport Sbu Ndebele, Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters; Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu; Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Buyelwa Sonjica; Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande, among others.
