Deepen friendly exchanges and expand BRICS cooperation

A delegation from Xiamen recently visited South Africa to strengthen subnational exchanges and promote development of the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center (BPIC).

The delegation met with Mxolisi Kaunda, mayor of Durban in the KuaZulu-Natal province, and the two cities signed an agreement on the establishment of sister city relationship, making Durban Xiamen's first sister city in Africa.

The two cities agreed to promote pragmatic cooperation through a myriad of projects in the fields of new energy, investment promotion, port development, and talent training, and advance people-to-people exchanges under the framework of sister city relations and BRICS cooperation. These efforts will substantiate the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa.

The delegation also met with competent departments and made a site visit to the Dube TradePort. A consensus has been reached in such matters as facilitating Durban's participation in the 24th China International Fair for Investment and Trade and the BPIC talent training programs, exploring cooperation in new energy and cultural tourism industry, and establishing exchange mechanisms between the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its counterparts in Xiamen.

To deepen BRICS cooperation and accelerate the development of the BPIC, the Office of Xiamen Leading Group for BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, and Durban University of Technology signed a tripartite agreement highlighting collaborations in think-tanks, talent training and project development, and youth innovation and entrepreneurship.

Actions will be taken to help entities such as Xiamen ITG Holding Group and Xiamen C&D Group to scale up their partnerships with South African enterprises in new energy supply chain management and trade in mineral products.