SA, China Expanding Ties

SA, China Expanding Ties Pretoria, Ago 26. -With the signing of a railway agreement and other transport-related matters, South Africa and China have expanded their cooperación relation during President Jacob Zuma to Beijng, the South African media have highlighted.

The accord was signed by Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele, who is part of Zuma's delegation, and his Chinese counterpart Liu Zhijun.

After the signing ceremony, Ndebele stressed that through rail, South Africa could move from being a developing country to a developed country by transporting people and goods efficiently, effectively and with the least cost to the environment and economy.

The agreement recognises the need to find new approaches for consolidating, expanding and deepening the rapid developments in the transport sector between South Africa and China, BUA News reported

It takes into consideration the framework of the New Partnership for Africaâ�Ös Development (NEPAD) and the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC), the South African information service recalled.

It seeks to promote investments, industry, trade and co-operation between South Africa and China in the area of rail.

BUA News underlined that President Zumaâ�Ös state visit to China this week signifies a deliberate attempt to reposition the South African economy to take advantage of new trade and investment opportunities in rapidly growing emerging markets.

South Africa is looking to expanded trade with the worlds emerging economies, which will help it meet development needs, especially by improving infrastructure and livelihoods.

This weekâ�Ös state visit to China means that President Zuma has visited all four of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries -in a little over a year after taking office.

During his visit to the four nations, Zuma has called for stronger partnerships, trade and investment. (Prensa Latina)