City of Cape Town Strengthens Relations with China

The Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Dan Plato, and the Mayor of the City of Huangshan, Song Guoquan, signed a friendship agreement on Saturday that will facilitate closer economic ties between the two cities.

Huangshan is the southernmost city in the province of Anhui.

Mayor Plato, who is currently in China to attend the World Economic Forum, said: "Huangshan is very similar to Cape Town in many ways. It has a magnificent mountain that, like Table Mountain, is a world heritage site and attracts two million visitors each year. Huangshan is also a leading hub for tertiary education in the same way as Cape Town is with its four regional universities. There are natural opportunities for the two cities to work together."

Mayor Plato also visited the premises of Anhui News which is in a joint venture with a South African based global media company from Cape Town, MIH International. Mansoor Mohamed, the Executive Director for Economic, Social Development and Tourism, said: "The signing of this pact has made it easier for the City of Cape Town to facilitate business relationships for South African companies in China. This agreement will enhance Cape Town's role as an access point for Chinese companies wanting to do business in Africa. A number of opportunities for co-operation have already been identified, such as synergies in tourism development and bilateral trade."

Mayor Plato will address the SA China Business Association today and hold a number of media briefings in Beijing. Thereafter, he will participate in plenary sessions at the World Economic Forum in Dalian, China.

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Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town