Binational Commission
21 September 2007
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will, on Saturday, 22 September
2007, depart for the People's Republic of China where she will co-chair the
third session of the South Africa - China Binational Commission scheduled from
Sunday to Wednesday, 23 to 26 September 2007. During her visit Deputy President
Mlambo-Ngcuka will also hold a series of bilateral political and economic
discussions with the political and business leadership of China.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka is expected to be accompanied by Ministers
Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Naledi Pandor, Lulu Xingwana, and Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang, and Deputy Ministers Sue van der Merwe and Derek
Hanekom.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka's visit to China comes within the context of
South Africa's priority to strengthen political, trade and economic relations
with China with a view to advancing the developmental agenda of the south.
China is also a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and an
increasingly important player in global developments.
Engagement with China through the South Africa - China Bi-National
Commission is expected to include:
* reviewing progress made since the signing of the Programme of Co-operation
on deepening the Strategic Partnership signed by President Thabo Mbeki and
Premier Wen Jiabao in 2006
* reviewing how economic relations can be advanced, encouraging the expansion
of bilateral trade while ensuring balanced and mutually beneficial trade
relations
* the Chinese government support and assistance with regard to human capital
development in the context of Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition
(Jipsa) and Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa
(AsgiSA)
* constructive co-operation in addressing and promoting the interests of Africa
through multilateral fora such as the Group of 77 (G77) and China, and
structures of the United Nations. As developing countries, both South Africa
and China share similar positions with regard to the reform and governance of
the global economic system
* continued engagement on United Nations (UN) reform and co-operation within
the context of the UN Security Council
* co-operation in addressing issues around conflict resolution in Africa,
including Sudan.
While in China, Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will also hold bilateral
meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Vice President Zeng Qinghong and
Premier Wen Jiabao and attend the meeting of the Investment and Business Forum.
The Deputy President will also deliver an address at the Tinghua
University.
Bilateral economic relations
* Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1998, trade between
China and South Africa has grown significantly from R5,2 billion in 1998 to
R60,7 billion in 2006.
* At the end of 2006 China became South Africa's sixth largest export partner,
and number one import partner in Asia.
* Both imports and exports grew over 30% in 2006 compared to 2005.
* China still enjoys a trade surplus with South Afica, in 2006 imports from
China totalled R46,7 billion, while exports came to R14 billion.
Year 1996
Exports: 785 150
Imports: 2 396 743
Total: 3 181 893
Balance: -1 611 593
Year 1997
Exports: 907 220
Imports: 3 190 095
Total: 4 097 315
Balance: -2 282 875
Year 1998
Exports: 913 461
Imports: 4 347 047
Total: 5 260 508
Balance: -3 433 586
Year 1999
Exports: 1 657 646
Imports: 5 010 606
Total: 6 668 252
Balance: -3 352 960
Year 2000
Exports: 2 410 801
Imports: 6 935 164
Total: 9 345 965
Balance: -4 524 363
Year 2001
Exports: 3 829 982
Imports: 9 098 558
Total: 12 928 540
Balance: -5 268 576
Year 2002
Exports: 4 744 393
Imports: 14 266 388
Total: 19 010 781
Balance: -9 521 995
Year 2003
Exports: 6 704 340
Imports: 16 600 250
Total: 23 304 590
Balance: -9 895 910
Year 2004
Exports: 6 580 392
Imports: 23 021 153
Total: 29 601 545
Balance: -16 440 761
Year 2005
Exports: 8 763 191
Imports: 31 476 631
Total: 40 239 822
Balance: -1 611 593
Year 2006
Exports: 14 019 861
Imports: 46 718 798
Total: 60 738 659
Balance: -32 698 937
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
21 September 2007
