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Joint Communiqué Between The Republic of South Africa
And The People's Republic of China, Pretoria, 6 February 2007 I. 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 6-8 February 2007. II. 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 Cooperation 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 Cooperation
(FOCAC), and international and regional issues of common interest. III.
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. IV. 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 recognized 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.
V. 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 cooperation 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. VI. The Government of South Africa reaffirmed its
commitment to the one China policy, recognizing 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. VII. 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
Cooperation and Trade should be enhanced
- Coordination and Cooperation
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 cooperation in the following priority
areas: Political Mutual Trust and Strategic Consultation: VIII.
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. IX.
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. X. 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
Cooperation and Trade XI. 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. XII. 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. XIII. 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.
XIV. The two sides will continue their cooperation on the successful implementation
of the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Bilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation,
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. XV. The two
sides agreed to strengthen and enhance future development cooperation in areas
of mutual interest. In this regard the Chinese side reiterated its support for
the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa and the Joint Initiative
for Priority Skills Acquisition, and has committed concrete support as well as
the requisite resources to cooperate 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 cooperation in this area. Coordination
and Cooperation through Diplomatic Consultations XVI. 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 cooperation. 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 Organization
and other international organizations, and fully coordinate each other's positions
on major issues such as development and poverty reduction, regional conflicts,
South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue and formulation of multilateral
trade rules in an effort to uphold the common rights and interests of the developing
world. XVII. 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 Cooperation during November 2006. The two countries declared their
commitment to cooperate 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 Cooperation and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation-Beijing
Action Plan (2007-2009). XVIII. 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 cooperation 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 cooperation 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 XIX.
The two sides stressed the need to expand cultural and social exchanges, including
exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science, technology, health,
sport, tourism and aviation. XX. 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. XXI. 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. XXII. 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. XXIII. 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
Private
Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 6 February 2007
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