21 May 2007
Beijing: South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma today
Monday, 21 May 2007 concluded bilateral political, economic and trade
discussions with her newly appointed counterpart Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
in Beijing, People's Republic of China. Minister Dlamini Zuma also held
discussions with the Chinese Premier Wen Jiaboa.
Minister Dlamini Zuma's discussions in China come within the context of
South Africa's priority to consolidate political, economic and trade relations
with the People's Republic of China.
Accordingly, both Ministers agreed to begin preparations to celebrate the
10th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South
Africa and China in 2008.
The Ministers discussed the strengthening of political and economic
relations between South Africa and China and committed themselves to making
greater efforts towards addressing the trade and investment imbalance between
both countries.
Minister Yang reiterated China's support for South African skills and
capacity development through its Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (AsgiSA) and the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition
(JIPSA) programmes. In this regard the first group of 200 South African
students began their artisan training at the Tshwane University of Technology
today Monday, 21 May 2007.
With regard to Sino-Africa relations Minister Dlamini Zuma expressed
appreciation to the government of the People's Republic of China for their
efforts to ensure the implementation of the outcomes of the Forum on China
Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) hosted by Beijing in November 2006. China actively
supports African infrastructure, social, economic, and human resource
development.
In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma expressed her gratitude for China's
support for post-conflict reconstruction and development in Cote d'Ivoire
through debt write offs, soft loans and grants.
Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Yang also discussed the possibility of trilateral
co-operation with other African countries with a view to pushing back the
frontiers of poverty and underdevelopment and improving the quality of life for
all people of Africa.
Minister Dlamini Zuma briefed her counterpart on the political and
socio-economic situation in the Southern African region. Minister Yang
expressed his support of South Africa's role in the region in securing and
maintaining peace, security and stability.
Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Yang, as members of the United Nations Security
Council also looked at current issues with which the Security Council is
dealing. Both Ministers emphasised the principle of solutions through
negotiations between all relevant role-players and recommitted themselves to
working together closely in the Security Council.
Minister Yang expressed the appreciation of the People's Republic of China
for South Africa's continued adherence to the One-China Policy.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will depart from Beijing for Hanoi, Vietnam on
Tuesday, 22 May 2007 where she will support President Thabo Mbeki during his
State Visit to Vietnam.
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
21 May 2007
