Zuma wants fairer deal

A more equitable balance of trade is what President Jacob Zuma wants from a new set of agreements with South Africa's largest trading partner, China.

Last year, South Africa saw its trade deficit increase to R117.7-billion, with a fifth of that being the result of its trade with China.

Zuma was speaking in Pretoria as delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa gathered in Durban for the Brics summit. He made it clear that all South Africa wanted was to emulate "the Dragon".

Of the five Brics partners, South Africa has by far the smallest economy and the least foreign reserves, whereas China is the powerhouse in the bloc.

Flanked by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Zuma said the two men had had "a very productive morning, which took the relationship between our countries many steps forward".

They also oversaw the establishment of a joint inter-ministerial working group, and the signing of several memorandums of understanding and declarations.

The two countries promised to cooperate in areas such as coastal management, basic education, tariffs and the founding of a Confucius institute in Durban.

"What we now seek to address jointly is to find the means towards a more equitable balance of trade," said Zuma.

Trade unions and business leaders have cautioned that cheap imports would result in job losses.

Zuma and his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, agreed on a declaration for strategic partnership as ministers from both governments signed various agreements on aviation, education, agriculture, energy and mining in Durban last night.

Earlier in the day, Zuma and Putin held bilateral talks and exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues.

Zuma said bilateral relations between South Africa and Russia had developed well since the establishment of the diplomatic ties in the early 1990s.

He said Putin's latest visit to South Africa also enabled the two to exchange views on the unfolding regional and global challenges, especially peace and security issues in Africa and the Middle East.

"Work between our two countries has progressed to the point where we have signed the Durban Declaration. This establishes a presidential bilateral mechanism and defines programme areas that will guide the South Africa-Russia strategic partnership," said Zuma.

He said he believed the two countries' strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships would continue to thrive.

Putin's visit culminated in the launch of the maintenance, repair and overhaul centre by Denel and Russian Helicopters.

"A further benefit for other African countries is that Denel's licensed technicians are available to provide on-the-job training and assist with improved turnaround of aircraft and proximity of the maintenance, overhaul and repair centre, providing readily available spares," said Zuma .