Mr. Jiang Yaoping, Deputy Minister of Commerce, headed a Chinese government delegation of trade and investment to visit Namibia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates from May 25 to June 4, to promote trade and economic cooperation with Middle East and African countries. Positive progress was made during the visit:

First, development of bilateral trade and economic relations were promoted. Government officials from Namibia, officials of South Africa and UAE expressed that in a situation that domestic economies were severely affected by the financial crisis, the trade and investment promotions organized by the Chinese government strengthened exchanges and cooperation between government and business, which is of great importance for the development of bilateral economic and trade relations. Second, a consensus was reached on strengthening cooperation and dealing with the crisis. By conducting bilateral talks, meetings and speeches during the visit, Jiang Yaoping fully explained China’s response and measures taken in dealing with the financial crisis, and reiterated the position of strengthening cooperation, joining efforts to overcome difficulties, and fighting against of trade protectionism. Third, cooperative projects were pragmatically promoted. “Sino-South Africa Trade and Investment Forum” and “Sino-UAE Trade and Investment Forum” were held. Jiang Yaoping and relevant government officials and business people from South Africa and UAE addressed the said forums. On the forums, Chinese enterprises conducted business talks with over 100 enterprises from South Africa and UAE, and both sides expressed strong willingness of cooperation. Preliminary intentions were reached in the fields of economic and trade cooperation and investing to build factories. Fourth, surveys were made in the local market, which laid a foundation for the "going out" strategy of Chinese enterprises. Jiang Yaoping inspected the DragonMart in Dubai, Shaanxi Automobile’s heavy truck sales service center in the Middle East, and XCMG Dubai branches. Symposiums were also held in Namibia, South Africa and UAE respectively, Jiang Yaoping listened to the comments and suggestions from enterprises about the current economic situations and difficulties ran into. And the delegation was inspired greatly on coping with the changes of global economic situation and developing appropriate strategies according to different markets.

CCCME organized over 20 domestic enterprises joined the visit.