South Africa, China sign deals worth $6.5B

Pulse Staff 05:53 - 03 December 2015

Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with South African President Jacob Zuma upon his arrival at the Union Buildings in Pretoria , December 2, 2015. REUTERS/Sydney Seshibedi

China will loan South Africa's struggling power utility $500 million as part of deals agreed on Wednesday between the two countries worth 94 billion rand ($6.5 billion), the South African government said.

South Africa and China signed deals worth 94 billion rand ($6.5 billion) during talks between the two countries, President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday, adding that relations between the two nations were at their "best ever".

The talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping focused on boosting investment and trade between the two countries.

China will also help to build a car manufacturing plant on South Africa's coast which should begin exporting vehicles to other African countries by the end of 2017.