To South Africa. The coastal city of Durban is hosting this year's ITU Telecom World Summit. The gathering focuses on the future of global telecommunications innovation. Chinese delegates are keen to show off new technologies. Beryl Ooro takes a look.

Back in 2010, the cost of mobile phone calls in South Africa was about 40 US cents a minute. Now, that rate has dropped to just 3 US cents a minute. And it's all thanks to South Africa's relationship with China.

SIYABONGA CWELETELECOMMUNICATIONS MINISTER, SOUTH AFRICA "We are very happy that our companies are trading in our countries, this diversification of technologies and bringing new technologies who are able to bring down the costs. For instance, companies like ZTE and Huawei, they are heavily invested here in South Africa."

China is committed to helping African countries broaden the reach of their telecommunications coverage.

HOULIN ZHAO, SECRETARY GENERAL INTERNATIONAL TELECOMS UNION "African countries are actually very willing to cooperate with China in the information and communication industry, use Chinese resources, use China's operations, and use the platform provided by China to quickly bring the foundation of the African continent. The facilities are going up. Being able to better change Africa's construction of Africa is conducive to the development of all aspects of Africa."

The South African government is working hard to ensure all communities in the country - no matter how remote - have access to television and radio.

PINKY KEKANA, DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS MINISTERSOUTH AFRICA "We take this ITU very seriously. It says to us we must be ready as far as industrialisation is concerned and we look at areas like the Chinese to be able to look at how do we partner in some of these things to make sure we take this process forward."

The annual ITU Telecom World conference brings together exhibitors, innovators and telecom stakeholders to share skills and information about new technologies. BO, CGTN.