The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has hosted Chinese delegation in the province. The purpose of the visit by the Chinese is to check on areas of importing beef from South Africa which is in demand in China.
It also seeks to inspect National State Veterinary offices in the country, including Northern Cape. The team has thus far visited Provinces like Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and Northern Cape since the beginning of the week. They will spend about two days in North West and their last stop is Western Cape next week.
Following the establishment of the formal diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China in 1998, relations between the two countries have advanced gradually from the cautious approach adopted by former President Thabo Mbeki to more all-embracing character under President Jacob Zuma.
At present the most significantly link, apart from the diplomatic relations is the economic with two way trade accelerating since 2009, jumping by 32% between 2013 from R205 billion to R270 billion in 2013, thereby making China the country’s largest trading partner. (Source: www.saiia.org.za)
The two countries are also members of five mayor emerging national economies - Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa “BRICS”. The delegation also visited some abattoirs like Beef master in Kimberley and feeding lots in Christiana in the North West Province. End
Issued by: Directorate Communication Services – Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Enquiries: Phemelo Manankong – External Communications Officer
Tel: 053 802 5622
Cell 071 889 5112