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Deputy President Jacob Zuma and Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Arrive
in Ethiopia Ahead of China Africa Co-Operation Forum,
Sunday, 14 December 2003
Deputy President Jacob Zuma accompanied by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and senior
government officials, arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
today, Sunday 14 December 2003 ahead of the China-Africa
Cooperation Forum.
The China-Africa Cooperation Forum represents a major
commitment by China to Africa's developmental agenda,
namely the New Economic Partnership for Africa's Development
(NEPAD). While China's current resources are limited,
growth trends suggest that it could play a key role
as a source of direct investment into Africa and as
a market for African products.
The challenge for both Africa and China is to ensure
that the China-Africa Cooperation Forum is fully exploited
as a vehicle for synchronising Africa's aspirations
with those of an influential China.
South Africa's participation in this Forum is determined
by the following objectives:
· To consolidate the structure and parameters
for the conduct of relations between Africa and China,
based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.
· To seek common ground with China on ways to
advance the interests of the developing world in the
international political and economic system.
· To commit China to the practical implementation
of a mutually beneficial trade regime with Africa.
· To foster regional co-operation in the context
of Sino-African relations.
· To realign China's development assistance policies
to support the priorities of Africa and to be conducive
to the economic development of the continent.
· To seek China's unambiguous support for the
African Renaissance.
The holding of the first Ministerial Conference of
the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation was announced
by the Chinese Government during November 1999. The
general aim of the Conference scheduled between 10 -
12 October 2002, was to establish a New Partnership
between China and Africa, to reaffirm the solidarity
between China and Africa, and to consider practical
steps in implementing co-operation between China and
Africa.
The Beijing Declaration and the Programme of Action
agreed upon between China and 41 African countries,
established the framework within which mutually beneficial
relations between China and the African continent could
be conducted.
Business Conference is also to be held during the aforementioned
meeting. It is to replace the previously proposed trade
exhibition / fair. The primary aim of the Business Conference
would be for entrepreneurs from both Africa and China
to exchange views and consider participation in projects
of mutual benefit within the context of South - South
Cooperation.
It is envisaged that the Business Conference would
also produce an outcome document or declaration aimed
at enriching the economic development framework of South
- South Cooperation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is in the process
of engaging the Department of Trade and Industry in
regard to ensuring high-level participation in the Business
Conference. However, it is envisaged rather to facilitate
the presence of business groups / chambers, and not
individual companies.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
14 December 2003
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