Close China links were established by Zuma administration - analyst

The presidency confirmed South Africa and China signed a number of strategic agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and trade ties.

One of the agreements was a five- to ten-year strategic programme on cooperation, focusing on bilateral cooperation including "political mutual trust and strategic coordination" and cooperation in international affairs and issues relating to the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). The countries also agreed to further improve bilateral cooperation in trade and investment to redress the structural imbalance in the two countries' bilateral trade.

Political economist Daniel Silke explains how the relationship between South African and China was solidified - he attributes the sometimes diplomatically problematic relationship to President Zuma's administration.