20 June 2006
The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ms Lindiwe Hendricks, will host
her counterpart from the Peopleâs Republic of China, Mr Jia Zhibang, and his
delegation at a gala dinner in Cape Town tonight, 20 June.
Minister Zhibang, who is the Minister of State Forestry Administration in
the Peopleâs Republic of China, is accompanying Premier Wen Jiabao on a
four-day State visit to South Africa.
The gala dinner for Minister Zhibang and his delegation will be preceded by
an extensive visit of forestry institutions in Stellenbosch and Cape Town. The
visit will culminate into the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by
the two Ministers at Tuynhuis parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
The MoU will focus on the following areas:
* the formulation of forestry strategies, policies and planning;
* the conclusion of partnerships in the areas of planning, research and
strategies for forestry development;
* equitable and sustainable development and management of forest resources
including the protection of natural resources;
* assisting and supporting each other to address issues of common concern
including deforestation, the impact of climate change on forests, forest fires,
pests, diseases, development implementation and enforcement legislation;
* the gathering and monitoring of information and sharing and dissemination of
information, expertise and technology concerning forests, forests and forest
industries;
* promoting respect for the rights of communities and facilitating their
participation in forest policy development, planning and management with
particular attention to the need to protect traditional forest related
knowledge and develop adequate mechanisms to ensure equitable sharing of
benefits derived from forest resources, without prejudice to property
rights.
The Peopleâs Republic of China is a strategic partner to South Africa both
as one of the leading countries in the developing world and from a South-South
co-operation point of view. The signing of the memorandum will therefore go a
long way towards strengthening relations between South Africa and the Peoples
Republic of China.
Enquiries:
Thandi Mapukata
Chief Director: Communications Services
Cell: 082 885 3324
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
20 June 2006
