China: premier in Cape Town for talks

Wen is on a seven-nation tour of Africa, the first by a Chinese leader since 1998, and will have already visited Egypt, Ghana, the Republic of Congo and Angola, the largest supplier of crude oil to China, before his arrival in Cape Town. After South Africa, Wen will travel to Tanzania and Uganda.

Photo: China: premier in Cape Town for talks

Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said the visit comes at a time when the two countries are trying to consolidate cooperation on market access, trade and investment. He said the talks would allow the two leaders to cooperate an approach on such issues as energy, security, climate change, health and education ahead of the G8 summit, the AP reports.

Wen will also hold discussions with the Parliament Speaker Baleka Mbete and Johannes Mahlangu, the chairman of the National Council of Provinces. He will co-host a business cooperation forum and meet with Chinese businessman and members of the Chinese community in South Africa, according to the AP.