President Jacob Zuma has today, 18 July 2012, arrived in Beijing on a working Visit to the People's Republic of China at the invitation of His Excellency, President Hu Jintao from 19-20 July 2012.

The visit to Beijing takes place within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership concluded between the Republic of South Africa and the People's Republic of China in August 2010.

FOCAC was established to charter the direction for the development of a new, stable and long-term partnership based on equality and mutual benefit between China and African countries.

During the visit, President Zuma will attend the Opening Ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Meeting, where South Africa will assume the Co-Chairpersonship of this forum.

Furthermore, President Zuma will be awarded an Honorary Professorship in International Studies at the Peking University in Beijing on July 20, 2012.

During the visit the President is envisaged to engage in bilateral talks with His Excellency, President Hu Jintao and his Deputy, His Excellency Vice President Xi Jinping, which are expected to further strengthen the relations between the two countries.