South Africa, Free State: Premier Mxolisi Dukwana hosted a delegation from Jiangsu in China. The six member delegation led by Fan Jinlong enhanced on various fronts for the development of both provinces and stems from over 20 years of good friendship between the Free State Provincial Government and the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress.
Deputy speaker of Legislature Zanele Sifuba, Deputy executive mayor Lulama Titi-Odili, as well as MECs and HODs from various departments, graced this event, which was kicked off this afternoon with a courtesy call with Fan Jinlong, who is the Executive Vice Chairperson of the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress and later with the Speaker of Legislature.
Conversations of these meetings were centred around Economic Development through various sectors but essentially through Agriculture as it is the golden thread between the two provinces.
Addressing the question that many might have, Jinlong explained the purpose of his visit to the Province.
“I am here following the footsteps of Premier Dukwana, who led a delegation to China recently, where a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation between the Xhariep District and Yangzhou municipality was signed. This visit aims to cement our commitment to the Jiangsu Provincial Peoples Congress. The Premier and his delegation came to us with vibrant ideas that, if put in place, can unlock brilliant sustainability opportunities amongst all citizens of China and the Free State”.
On 8 September, while in Jiangsu, DESTEA MEC Thabo Meeko also signed an MOU with Tuniu.com, a leading Tourism instance in the Chinese Province.
Premier Mxolisi Dukwana expressed his gratitude and said that his visit to China was to assist them in establishing new relations, as this was not his first interaction with the people of China.
“This longstanding relationship has seen Cooperation between our municipalities and four counterpart municipalities. Long before the Province sent students overseas, Jiangsu province offered the Free State province two scholarships for Masters in Agriculture. Later, we were able to send a number of Agriculture students who would study all facets of Agriculture as well as Engineering. Only through these positive contributions towards young people’s development can we ever see an end to poverty and hopelessness in our communities.”
Fan and his delegation are expected to visit a model farm and an agro-processing centre during this visit to the Free State province.