Johannesburg - South Africa will host the China-SA High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism next week in Pretoria.
The purpose of the exchange is to deepen mutual understanding between the peoples of South Africa and China, and to enhance people-to-people exchanges and co-operation in areas such as culture, education, communications, health, science and technology, sports, tourism, women affairs and youth.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong of the State Council is on official visits to Turkey, Jordan, Iran and South Africa. Liu’s visit to South Africa is to co-host with Nathi Mthethwa, minister of Arts and Culture, the first meeting of the China-SA High-Level People-to-People Exchanges Mechanism. With the joint efforts of both sides, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and South Africa has been gaining momentum. With an unprecedented degree of mutual political trust, fruitful practical co-operation across the board and brilliant people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the China-South Africa relationship is at its historical best.
The exchange is an important part of the consensus reached between the two heads of state and the mechanism is the first of its kind between China and African countries.
To inaugurate this mechanism is also an important part of implementing the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation Johannesburg Summit.
During the visit, Liu will meet President Jacob Zuma, attend the China-Africa Conference on Health Co-operation, the China-South Africa seminar on industrial park co-operation, the China-SA High-Level Dialogue and the closing ceremony of the second China-Africa Youth Gala.