Thabo Mbeki, at the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) Summit, Great
Hall of The People, Beijing, China
5 November 2006
Your Excellency, President of the People's Republic of China, Hu
Jintao,
Your Excellency, Co-Chair of the Roundtable and Prime Minister of Ethiopia,
Meles Zenawi,
Your Excellencies,
Honourable Ministers and delegations,
On behalf of my delegation, the government and people of South Africa, I
convey the warmest greetings to the government and people of the People's
Republic of China.
Your Excellency, we are deeply honoured by China's generous and kind
hospitality. This seminal Roundtable and Business Dialogue give all of us the
opportunity to redefine the real meaning of our strategic partnership within
the context of the summit's theme, "Friendship, peace, co-operation and
development."
China's commitment to Africa has already been demonstrated through tangible
and concrete results particularly in terms of human resource development (HRD),
debt relief and investment. Africa is also committed to China's development and
this is evident through the supply of raw materials, other products and
technology transfer.
It is necessary that we lock in investments in addressing supply side
constraints, diversification and beneficiation of the resources derived from
African countries through encouraging joint ventures between Africa and
China.
As we renew our continent and endeavour to meet the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs), we need to develop our infrastructure and build skills and
expertise to enhance our own aim of a better life for all.
Mr President, as you said at the welcoming banquet last night, China is a
developing country facing many problems and challenges in economic and social
development. Your Excellency went on to say,
"The Chinese people are now endeavouring to build a moderately prosperous
society in an all round way and accelerate the socialist modernisation drive.
Our overall goal is to quadruple the gross domestic product (GDP) of 2000 by
2020 so that we will achieve greater progress in the economy, democracy,
science, education and culture, and make society more harmonious and ensure a
better life for our people."
The African continent also faces developmental challenges that derive from
pervasive poverty and underdevelopment. As Africa harnesses its abundant
natural and human resources (HR), we welcome a fair and equitable partnership
with China so that we all achieve and accelerate our economic growth and
prosperity.
The Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU) embodies the principles upon
which the African continent bases its collective action.
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is a home-grown and
internationally agreed framework for the socio-economic development of our
continent. The primary objectives of NEPAD are to eradicate poverty, to halt
the marginalisation of Africa and to integrate African countries into the
global economy.
May we use this forum as a stepping stone towards transforming our
continental relationship with China based on a shared vision and understanding
of our developmental challenges and the advancement of the NEPAD's
objectives.
Our strategic partnership should strive for a fair and equitable global
trading system that is characterised by transparency, good corporate
governance, predictability and poverty alleviation and eradication.
As we redefine our relationship and seek trade and investment opportunities
of mutual benefit, we must adopt a dynamic approach to our strategic
partnership so that we all win in Africa, with Africa and similarly win in
China, with China.
A winning partnership is surely one in which we encourage sustainable trade
and investment while promoting a better life for all within sustainable human
settlements. Peace and friendship will surely flourish when we empower and
uplift the poorest of the poor from hunger and unemployment, disease,
homelessness, illiteracy and environmental degradation.
In that spirit, our collective, powerful and united voice should
continuously echo the summit's theme. For as partners in friendship and peace,
our co-operation can only but succeed in promoting mutually beneficial
prosperity and sustainable development.
Thank you!
Issued by: The Presidency
5 November 2006
