South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa left the country on Sunday leading a trade delegation on an official visit to China, the Presidency has said.

The 13-17 July visit will focus on economic and trade matters, specifically on how state-owned enterprises could be utilised to promote economic growth and address challenges of poverty and unemployment.

Ramaphosa will focus on China’s state-owned enterprises and how South Africa could utilise the Chinese model in its own re-industrialisation process, the office said.

During his visit the Deputy President will pay a courtesy call on Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold a meeting with Premier Li Keqiang, the Presidency said.

He will also hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart, Vice President LI Yuanchao in Beijing to discuss a number of issues within the context of the Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme, which was signed by President Jacob Zuma during his state visit to the country earlier this year.

These relate to trade and investment cooperation, financial cooperation, infrastructure development, energy issues, vocational training and South Africa’s co-hosting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which will be hosted later this year in South Africa, the Presidency said.

Source: APA