China's Xi Jinping to visit Zimbabwe and South Africa in December

China's President Xi Jinping (left in grey overcoat) and his wife Peng Liyuan (right in beige overcoat) arrive at Orly airport, outside Paris, on November 29, 2015, for the start of the COP21 UN Conference on climate change summit. President Xi Jinping will visit South Africa and Zimbabwe in December. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Xi will also pay a state visit to South Africa from December 2 to 5 at the invitation of South African President Jacob Zuma, and chair the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg.

BEIJING, Sunday

Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing today for visit to Paris and Africa. 

Mr Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the 21st UN conference on climate change in Paris from November 30 at the invitation of French President Francois Hollande as well as French Foreign Minister and chair of the climate change conference Laurent Fabius.

The president will pay a state visit to Zimbabwe from December 1 to 2 at the invitation of his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe.

Mr Xi will also pay a state visit to South Africa from December 2 to 5 at the invitation of South African President Jacob Zuma, and chair the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg.

INCLUDES HIS WIFE

Mr Xi’s entourage includes his wife Peng Liyuan; Mr Wang Huning, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee; Mr Li Zhanshu, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.

Also on the trip is State Councilor Yang Jiechi.