China, SA to hold fourth Bi-National Commission

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to co-chair the 4th Bi-National Commission (BNC) with his Chinese counterpart Vice President Xi Jinping in Cape Town next week.

The two-day BNC, which starts on Tuesday, takes place within the context of strengthening South-South Cooperation. The BNC is seen as a useful vehicle in reviewing progress and identifying a way forward on areas of co-operation between China and South Africa.

Accordingly, the 4th SA-China BNC will provide the first opportunity to implement the Beijing Declaration on the Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and set a precedent for the future BNCs.

This will contribute to South Africa's domestic development imperatives and economic priorities, which are, access to quality education, improved health care, comprehensive rural development, creation of decent jobs and fighting crime and corruption.

During the meeting both principals will engage each other on issues pertaining to the strengthening and deepening of political relations between the two countries, strengthening of bilateral economic and trade relations and strengthening cooperation on the foreign policy of advancing the African Agenda.

It is expected that Vice President Xi will pay a courtesy call to President Jacob Zuma and Max Sisulu, Speaker of the National Assembly.

Deputy President Motlanthe will be accompanied by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Minister of Economic Development, Minister of Energy, Minister of Mineral Resources, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.