The Eastern Cape government has cemented ties with another with a Chinese province, signing several agreements with a visiting delegation on Monday.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane, members of his executive, and Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe, hosted the delegation from the Jilin Province in Northeast China.
The visit was capped by the announcement of a further, multi-million-rand investment by truck maker FAW in its plant at the Coega Special Economic Zone.
"We warmly welcome FAW's R200 million investment in Coega, which will create jobs, stimulate innovation, and cement the Eastern Cape's position as a hub for automotive manufacturing excellence.
“This also strengthens the partnership between the two countries,” Premier Mabuyane said
Bhisho said Jilin Province, home to FAW, had a “GDP of 193.3 billion USD in 2023”, presenting significant opportunities for economic collaboration.
The EC government said the high-level delegation was led by Gao Guangbin, the deputy chairperson for the Communist Party in the province, and included representatives from key sectors that included chemicals, grain exports, ICT and railways.
Eastern Cape Transport and Safety MEC, Xolile Nqata, also signed a letter of intent to look at the possibility of a high-speed train for the province.
