CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- The Gauteng premier and the delegation were amazed by the urban planning and infrastructure construction of Chongqing presented on the screen in front of them: the magical Sujiaba Interchange, a city surrounded by the ridges and valleys of east Sichuan, and Baijusi Bridge, the largest span dual-layer steel truss cable-stayed bridge in the world…

Panyaza Lesufi, Premier of Gauteng Province, South Africa, led a delegation to Chongqing Municipality between June 20 and June 23. He said at an exchange meeting on the construction of Chongqing-Gauteng infrastructure on June 21 that he looked forward to strengthening cooperation with Chongqing in infrastructure construction, which would develop the relationship between the two regions to a new level.

According to the deputy director of the Gauteng Department of Urban Planning, there is still much room for improvement in infrastructure development in small towns in most parts of South Africa, including Gauteng. These small towns are full of development opportunities and want to integrate into the metropolitan area. Transportation is an essential prerequisite for this purpose.

“We wish that both large cities and small towns in South Africa can be the investment targets for Chinese companies.” After knowing more about the urban planning and development of Chongqing, the deputy director of the Gauteng Department of Urban Planning offered an invitation for partnership at the meeting.

Speaking of the exchanges between Chongqing and Gauteng, and even with South Africa, the two regions have a long history of cooperation, and their exchanges have become increasingly frequent. Chongqing's total imports and exports to South Africa reached 1.34 billion yuan from January to April this year, showing a year-on-year increase of 1.3%. The export volume amounted to 1.02 billion yuan, up 4.3%.

Chongqing and Gauteng have carried out extensive exchanges and cooperation in the fields concerning economy and trade, health, transportation, and education since they established a friendly and cooperative relationship in 2012.

During the visit to Chongqing, Panyaza Lesufi visited Chongqing Rail Transit, Liangjiang Digital Economic Industrial Park, and vocational colleges. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)