Bi-National Commission
25 September 2007
The South Africa/China Bi-National Commission (BNC) took place on 24
September 2007. The third BNC was co-chaired by Vice President Zeng Qinghong
and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka. The BNC is a useful vehicle in
reviewing progress and identifying a way forward on areas of co-operation
between China and South Africa in terms of the agreements and memorandums of
understanding.
Both Vice President and Deputy President also expressed satisfaction with
the progress made in the friendly co-operation between the two countries in
various fields since the establishment of the BNC and heard reports from the
different sectoral committees, which include education, trade and economy and
foreign affairs. One of the success of the strategic partnership between China
and South Africa is the increase in trade between the two countries which
amounted to exports to China at R14 billion and imports from China at R46,7
billion in 2006.
Trade and economics
China and South Africa are committed to a partnership for growth and
development with the aim of establishing a structured framework for evolving
complimentaries into higher value added trade and investment sectors. It was
agreed between the two countries to utilise the China-Africa Development Fund
to encourage companies from both countries, to promote trade and investment in
areas such as minerals, energy, infrastructure development, machinery, home
appliances, agro-processing, tourism and finance.
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka emphasised South Africa's need for
manufacturing capital goods in the growing construction industry. This industry
she said "needs capital goods and specialised skills which would make it
possible for the currently unemployed to be employed in the rural and urban
areas."
Education
The education committee reported that a number of Chinese students studying
in South Africa and South African students studying in China have increased.
China will donate 20 million RnB for education projects in South Africa. Vice
President Zeng Qinghong has stressed the importance of having the vocational
training centre opened as soon as possible. China will build a school in a
rural area in South Africa as part of the Education agreement that was
signed.
South Africa and China will also celebrate 10 years of diplomatic relations
in 2008, celebrations will be in the form of commodity fares, academic visits,
media exchanges, cultural relics, women group exchanges etc. China and South
Africa have indicated their willingness to keep in close consultation and
collaboration and support each other to ensure the success of the events
planned. Agreements in the areas of education, minerals and energy, human
resource management, public administration, public policy and reform and
training were signed by the line function ministers from the two countries.
South Africa and China's strategic relations are not only bilateral but also
exist multilaterally through the United Nations. Since China is a permanent
member of the Security Council of the United Nations, South Africa will support
China's position with regards to Vietnam seeking membership at the United
Nations.
An announcement was made on the cultivation of the China-South Africa
Partnership for Growth and Development. South Africa will also participate in
the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Deputy President also met with Mr Fan Xiao Jian, who is
the Head of State Council of Poverty Alleviation in China. The meeting agreed
to continue working together to learn from each other on how to alleviate
poverty. The Department of Social Development will continue liaison with their
counterparts in China in this regard.
Enquiries:
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Issued by: The Presidency
25 September 2007
Source: SAPA
