Could it be that the Chinese made a deal with the SA government? Something like Give us certain mines in exchange for certain support? The only thing standing in the way of such an agreement would be mines not in government control. See also links below.
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- CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping signed an energy deal with resource-rich South Africa on Wednesday in a visit aimed at obtaining minerals the Asian giant needs to fuel its blistering growth.
China is South Africa's biggest bilateral trading partner and the focal point of its plan to divert more trade and investment from traditional markets in Europe and North America to the world's fastest growing economies.
Xi, touted as China's next president, on Tuesday began a three-day visit to Africa's largest economy, which is seeking to reduce a deficit in trade with China that hit $2.7 billion last year, skewed in Beijing's favour.
South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Xi co-chaired the 4th China-South Africa bilateral commission and signed a number of agreements, including an energy deal.
No monetary details were released.
"The Chinese government undertook to encourage more imports from South Africa, especially value added products and will urge Chinese companies to invest in infrastructure development, automotive manufacturing, energy and information and communication technology," Motlanthe said in a statement.
South Africa has also signed a deal with China's Yingli Solar to build a $435 million manufacturing plant with a local partner, a senior government official said.
Yingli will partner with a local company and aimed to start building the plant within 12 months. - Reuters
Also read:
South Africa and China strengthen military ties
China and South Africa sign energy deal
Chinese seek coal mines in SA
S.Africa and China battle for Zimbabwe
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