South African President Jacob Zuma to visit China next week

BEIJING: South African President Jacob Zuma will embark on a four-day state visit to China next week where he will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on issues including strengthening of bilateral ties.

The visit from December 3 to 6 will be Zuma's first visit to China since his second term re-election in May, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said today.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet Zuma and hold talks on various issues of common concern and consolidation of bilateral ties, she said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and top legislator Zhang Dejiang will also meet Zuma.

The two sides will sign a series of documents on politics, economy, trade, health and agriculture, Hua said.

She said that during Xi's state visit to South Africa in March last year, China and South Africa prioritised each other in their foreign strategies.

"President Zuma's upcoming visit will further enhance China-South Africa relations and forge the development of bilateral ties," Hua said.