In an effort to increase the exports of wine to the Far East, Western Cape minister of agriculture and rural development, Gerrit van Rensburg, has met with his counterparts in Beijing China. According to a spokesman for the MEC, an invitation has been issued to the Chinese to use the Western Cape as a gateway into Africa – but the aim of the visit is to stimulate trade and investment between the Western Cape and its Chinese sister province, Shandong, in particular. To showcase the country’s wines Chinese officials last week attended a wine tasting in Beijing organised by Van Rensburg’s office. “Wine exports from South Africa to China increased by 34% between 2009 and 2012,” said the spokesman. “The Minister is of the opinion that government support of promotional activities together with good relationships with the relevant government departments are crucial for sustained export growth in China.” He said the Western Cape government would also support a South African wine delegation for the third year at the annual Yantai International Wine Exposition currently under way in China.
