South African President Jacob Zuma's Aug. 24-26 visit to China has already drawn the attention of the financial press in South Africa.

The Financial Mail, South Africa's leading business magazine, notes that Zuma will soon have visited all four of the so-called "Bric" countries -- Brazil, Russia, India and China -- in a little over a year after taking office.

These state visits signify a deliberate attempt to reposition the South African economy to take advantage of new trade and investment opportunities in rapidly growing emerging markets.

Brazilian president Luiz Ignazio Lula da Silva visited South Africa during the FIFA World Cup, further underscoring the strengthening of South-South ties.

More than 150 South African business leaders will accompany Zuma and it is expected that several deals will be signed, according to the report.