People's Republic of China
6 February 2007
1. At the invitation of President Thabo Mbeki of the Republic of South
Africa, President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China paid a state
visit to South Africa on 6 to 8 February 2007.
2. During his visit, President Hu held talks with President Mbeki and met
with Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. The leaders of the two countries
held extensive discussions and reviewed the principles guiding the bilateral
relationship between the Republic of South Africa and the People's Republic of
China as set out in the Pretoria Declaration on the Partnership between the
People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, signed in 2000,
the Strategic Partnership established by the two countries in 2004 and the
Programme of Co-operation on Deepening the Strategic Partnership between the
People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, signed in Cape
Town in 2006. Broad agreement was reached on deepening the South Africa-China
Strategic Partnership, building on the success of the Beijing Summit of the
Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC), and international and regional
issues of common interest.
3. The South African side noted with appreciation the regular visits by the
leadership of the People's Republic of China to South Africa and Africa, in
particular that the visit by President Hu Jintao is his second visit to South
Africa, and follows on his visit to Africa last year.
4. It was recalled with a deep sense of satisfaction that next year (1
January 2008) will mark the ten years of formal bilateral relations between the
People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, a milestone that
should be recognised and celebrated. It was of historic significance for the
promotion of China-South Africa relations for the two Heads of State to meet
before the 10th Anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic ties between the
two countries.
5. The two sides hailed the current state of bilateral relations and
reviewed with satisfaction the strong growth in political, economic,
scientific, technological and cultural relations since the establishment of
diplomatic ties. The two sides agreed to approach and promote bilateral ties
from a strategic perspective, to maintain high-level political exchanges, to
deepen co-operation across the board, and to increase consultation in
international and African affairs, and work together to lift China-South Africa
relations to a new high.
6. The government of South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to the one China
policy, recognising the government of the People's Republic of China as the
sole legitimate government representing the whole of China and Taiwan as an
inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The Chinese side expressed its
appreciation for this position.
7. It was agreed that the warm relations between the Republic of South
Africa and the People's Republic of China should be developed and expanded
along the lines of the four principles agreed upon during the State Visit by
President Mbeki in November 2006 to Beijing, and the State Visit by President
Hu Jintao in February 2007 to Pretoria, namely:
* political mutual trust and strategic consultation should be
broadened
* economic co-operation and trade should be enhanced
* co-ordination and co-operation should be enhanced through diplomatic
consultations
* cultural and people to people interaction should be strengthened.
In order to give effect to this undertaking, it was agreed to increase
co-operation in the following priority areas:
* Political Mutual Trust and Strategic Consultation
8. The two sides will maintain high-level contacts and exchange views on
bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest in
an in-depth and wide-ranging way that will build trust and promote mutual
benefit.
9. The two sides will give full scope to the role of the Bi-National
Commission as the pre-eminent structure in advancing the bilateral
relationship. It was agreed that the third meeting of the Bi-National
Commission will be held in Beijing during 2007.
10. The two sides will actively promote a positive image of the warm
relations that exists between China and Africa and work towards dispelling any
other negative reporting and perceptions in this regard.
Bilateral Economic Co-operation and Trade
11. The two sides will seek to encourage the expansion of bilateral trade in
a way that ensures a balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship. Both
countries will encourage their respective companies to explore opportunities in
developing the trade potential. The two sides will strengthen consultation on
bilateral trade issues in accordance with the principle of fairness, equality
and mutual benefit.
12. The two sides acknowledge the progress made in expanding trade in
agricultural commodities between South Africa and the People's Republic of
China as a result of the signing of protocols for the import and export of such
commodities.
13. The two sides remain committed to promoting mutual investment. The
Chinese side will make use of the China-Africa Development Fund to encourage
Chinese companies to invest in South Africa. South Africa actively encourages
Chinese companies to take up the significant investment opportunities that its
growing economy and favourable investment environment offer.
14. The two sides will continue their co-operation on the successful
implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on promoting Bilateral
Trade and Economic Co-operation, and undertake to solve other problems that
might arise in the course of bilateral trade by means of friendly consultation.
The two sides agreed to launch a China-South Africa Economic and Trade
Co-operation Website during 2007.
15. The two sides agreed to strengthen and enhance future development
co-operation in areas of mutual interest. In this regard the Chinese side
reiterated its support for the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (AsgiSA) and the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition
(JIPSA), and has committed concrete support as well as the requisite resources
to co-operate with South Africa in human resources developments, poverty
eradication, employment, rural development and the creation of infrastructure.
South Africa appreciates the efforts made by the Chinese Government in the
field of South African human settlement developments, and the two sides are
committed to exploring possibilities for further co-operation in this area.
Co-ordination and Co-operation through Diplomatic Consultations
16. The two sides observed that the world is undergoing profound and
complicated changes. With regard to development issues, developing countries
are faced with both opportunities and challenges and should strengthen
solidarity and co-operation. The Chinese side congratulated the South African
side on taking a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as
of January 2007. The two sides decided to maintain communication and
collaboration in the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and other
international organisations, and fully co-ordinate each other's positions on
major issues such as development and poverty reduction, regional conflicts,
South-South co-operation and North-South dialogue and formulation of
multilateral trade rules in an effort to uphold the common rights and interests
of the developing world.
17. South Africa expressed its congratulations to the People's Republic of
China for the successful hosting of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on
China-Africa Co-operation during November 2006. The two countries declared
their commitment to co-operate in promoting a new type of strategic partnership
between China and Africa under the guidance of the Declaration of the Beijing
Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation and the Forum on China-Africa
Co-operation Beijing Action Plan (2007-2009).
18. China applauded the role played by South Africa in upholding peace in
Africa and assisting to grow the regional economy, and expressed its readiness
to implement the follow-up actions of the Beijing summit and provide greater
assistance for peace and economic rejuvenation of Africa. The South African
side commended the Chinese side for its commitment to deepening its friendly
co-operation with Africa, expressed its support for measures adopted by the
Chinese side in respect of the follow-up actions of the Beijing summit, and
pledged close co-operation with the Chinese side in this regard. These could be
of particular significance in poverty eradication and to realise the Millennium
Development Goals.
Cultural and people to people interaction
19. The two sides stressed the need to expand cultural and social exchanges,
including exchanges and co-operation in culture, education, science,
technology, health, sport, tourism and aviation.
20. South Africa congratulated the People's Republic of China on the
successful presentation of the cultural tour "South Africa Experiences China"
in South Africa at the end of 2006. China expressed appreciation for the
participation of a South African dance troupe at the FOCAC Summit cultural
programme in Beijing in November 2006.
21. South Africa expressed its appreciation for the Chinese language
training provided by the Government of the People's Republic of China to South
African officials as well as tourism guides, and noted its commitment to
continuing the programme in future. Further, South Africa welcomed the
establishment of the Centre for Chinese Studies at the University of
Stellenbosch, as well as the full Chinese Government scholarships extended to
South African students to study in China.
22. The two sides reiterated their commitment to sharing experiences of
holding major sports events such as the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games.
The two sides will actively promote the attendance of the 2008 Olympic Games
and the 2010 Soccer World Cup in their respective countries.
21. The two sides will agree on an appropriate programme of cultural,
economic, social, sport, diplomatic and academic events during 2008 to
celebrate 10 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and the
People's Republic of China.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
6 February 2007
