SA, China strengthen relations
Thabo Mokgola
23 September 2004
Relations between South Africa and China are to be taken to a higher trajectory when Deputy President Jacob Zuma leads a delegation to that country on Sunday.
Zuma will be accompanied by Ministers Thoko Didiza (Agriculture and Land Affairs), Manto Tshabalala-Msimang (Health), and Lindiwe Sisulu (Housing), as well as Deputy Ministers Aziz Pahad (Foreign Affairs), Lulama Xingwana (Minerals and Energy) and Lindiwe Hendricks (Trade and Industry).
The Deputy President's spokesperson Lakela Kaunda said South Africa and China had structured relations in the form of a binational commission and the visit was aimed at strengthening political and economic relations between the two countries.
The visit would also focus on promoting the New Partnership for Africa's Development, peace and development on the African continent and maintaining the momentum of existing bilateral trade relations.
"Since diplomatic relations were established
between South Africa and China in 1998, bilateral relations have expanded rapidly in the political, economic, technological, cultural, educational and scientific fields.
"As a rapidly rising economic giant, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and the largest developing country in the world, China is seen as a strategic partner of South Africa," Kaunda said.
During Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong's visit to South Africa in June, a number of agreements were signed between Pretoria and Beijing, including between the countries' private sectors.
These included an agreement on education, agriculture, and granting aid to South Africa on human resources projects.
Others agreements that were signed are a cooperation agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of South Africa and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and a Letter of Intent between Sasol and a consortium of Chinese companies.
South
Africa is the largest trading partner of China in Africa.
The trade volume between China and South Africa accounted for 20 percent of the total trade between China and Africa.
The trade volume between the two countries increased from R9.3-billion in 1990 to R23.3-billion last year.
Source: BuaNews
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