What a South African expects from Xi's visit

President Xi Jinping and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma attend a bilateral signing ceremony in Beijing on Dec 4, 2014. China and South Africa signed 11 agreements. PHOTO BY WU ZHIYI / CHINA DAILY

During my eight-years working in China, I have seen the country making great progress economically as well as sociologically and militarily. Every day I see new skyscrapers being built and ordinary Chinese are finally starting to experience the Chinese dream.

I believe South Africa can learn a lot from China and if we work together, some of that success can rub off. We already have a great start in BRICS but we need to build on it and co-operate more.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to South Africa, where he will attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, provides opportunities for co-operation to really take off at a time when South Africa is badly in need of financial support to bolster its sluggish economy.

Some African states are worried about a new type of colonialism, but the fear is unfounded. China is the only country which has been aiding us genuinely and generously over past decades. Here are my expectations for Xi's visit.

China has fast, silent and cost efficient trains that South Africa badly needs for the export and import of goods. A deal can be struck to buy new trains from China through the Asian Development Bank or the BRICS New Development Bank.

By providing loans using the ADB and NDB banks, South African Airways (SAA) could buy China's newly-developed C919 passenger jets that are 20 percent less expensive than Airbus 320 jets. This is where China can help.

Xi could also provide scholarships to South Africans of all races and invite them to study in China. I have met many Africans in China who are happily studying here. China can build new universities in South Africa to cater to Africans as well. That would really benefit both Africa and China and improve relations tremendously.

China and South Africa should co-operate in the energy sector. China is a leader in renewable energy and South Africa needs new energy sources. China could establish wind and solar farms in South Africa and sell the power to us. We have developed a new type of nuclear reactor and with Chinese investment we can start to build them.

Finally, as a top tourist destination, South Africa has plenty of sunshine, beautiful scenery and animals. The humidity is always low so it does not feel as hot as in China. South Africa should invite more Chinese tourists as the market is huge and it can also benefit SAA, our national carrier.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and don't represent views of China Daily website.