| Follow us on:
|
![President Xi Jinping outlined his Africa policy as a partnership among equals during a March visit to Africa on his first trip abroad as president [Xinhua]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/china-SA.jpg)
President Xi Jinping outlined his Africa policy as a partnership among equals during a March visit to Africa on his first trip abroad as president [Xinhua]
Motlanthe was attending the fifth plenary session of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Beijing.
The two sides have held discussions on diplomacy, the economy and trade, science and technology, mining and energy.
“An example of these aforementioned collaborations is the partnership China South Rail for the production of the Transnet locomotives in South Africa which will act as a catalyst for the revival of our own locomotives manufacturing and stimulate associated industries such as the steel fabrication and engineering sectors,” said Motlanthe.
“We would like to see greater participation of Chinese companies such as in renewable energy, mining, banking, manufacturing, and rail infrastructure,” the South African deputy president added.
The commission is a government body that was formed to advance cooperation between South Africa and China.
Chinese President Xi stressed that South Africa, Beijing’s biggest trading partner in the continent, is also the gateway to Africa.
“[We] hope the two sides will work together closely to further advance China-Africa ties,” Xi said.
Chinese state-owned and private firms have traded oil, iron ore and other natural resources for crucial infrastructure projects like ports, roads and railways in the African continent.
China’s trade with Africa has surged from about $10 billion in 2000 to $166 billion in 2011.
President Xi outlined his Africa policy as a partnership among equals during a March visit to Africa on his first trip abroad as president.
South Africa was invited by China to join the four-member BRIC grouping of fast-growing emerging markets in December 2010.
“China believed that South Africa’s accession would promote the development of BRICS and enhance cooperation among emerging market economies,” South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said while South Africa was inducted in the group.
South Africa is the continent’s largest and most developed economy.
Motlanthe also met Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao.
The BRICS Post
