National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Ms Nomaindia Mfeketo and her delegation of 14 NA Chairpersons will on Thursday, 29 March meet Mr Hua Jianmin, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China.
This will be the second meeting of the Regular Exchange Mechanism (REM), which is the product of a memorandum of understanding signed in 2006 between the NA and China’s NPC.
Areas of focus for the Second Regular Exchange Mechanism include:
- Oversight on implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries;
- Prioritisation of infrastructure development programmes;
- Rural and urban youth development projects;
- Fostering substantive and result-oriented dialogues on issues of common interest;
- Cooperation on the improvement of agricultural development and food security;
- Increasing people-to-people exchanges in areas such as culture, education, science and technology, tourism, rural development, trade and industry, and between non-governmental organisations and academic institutions of both countries;
- Strengthening cooperation in international forums like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU);
Photo opportunities:
- Arrival of the Chinese delegation at Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday, 28 March at 12h45
- Opening of the second meeting of the exchange mechanism between the NPC and the NA on Thursday, 29 March at 8h50 at the Protea Room, Good Hope Chamber
- Closing remarks of the second meeting of the exchange mechanism between the NPC and the NA on Thursday, 29 March at 11h30, Good Hope Chamber
Media wishing to cover the visit should send their details to Nolizwi Magwagwa at nmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za or on 083 313 1323 or 021 403 2465. Details required are full name, ID or passport number, name of media house, designation (photographer, cameraperson, for example.)
Fast facts: Interaction between democratic South Africa and the People’s Republic of China
- Formal diplomatic relations between South Africa and People’s Republic of China were established on 1 January 1998.
- A Bi-National Commission (BNC) was established in 2002 and has become the key vehicle for facilitating cooperation between the two countries. A Strategic Partnership was established in 2004, for deepening strategic Partnership and the agreement was signed in June 2006.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Assembly (NA) of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa and the National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), was signed on 25 September, 2006.
- In June 2009, the Ambassador of China in the RSA paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the NA. The meeting discussed the implementation of the MOU and engagements between the Deputy Speakers of the two Parliaments as stipulated in the MOU.
- In September 2009, the Speakers of the two Parliaments met in the margins of the G8 Conference of speakers held in Italy. The following commitments were made: implementation of the MOU; increased economic relations in the context of the BNC; people-to-people exchanges and that leaders of delegations should facilitate meetings during IPU Assembly meetings.
- Official visit of the Vice Chairman of the NPC to the Deputy Speaker. During this visit an invitation was extended to the NA Speaker to visit China in 2010.
- In October 2010, the Speaker of the NA led a delegation to the PRC on an official visit.
- During the fourth BNC in November 2010, the Vice President of the PRC, Mr Xi Jinping paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the NA.
- In May 2011, the Chairman of the Chinese Standing Committee of the NPC of the PRC, Mr Wu Bangguo paid an official visit to South Africa.
- In October 2011, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ms N C Mfeketo, MP and a delegation paid an official visit to the People’s Republic of China.
