Minister Dlamini Zuma to host Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
Pretoria – South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on Monday 7 January host her Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi for bilateral political, trade and economic discussions at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. Minister Yang will pay a two day official visit to South Africa scheduled from Monday – Tuesday 7-8 January 2008 as part of an African visit.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will host Minister Yang within the context of South Africa’s priority to participate in celebrations both in South Africa and China to mark 10 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year.
It is anticipated that South Africa and China will, in 2008, establish a Strategic Dialogue that will serve as a mechanism through which this enhanced co-operation between China and South Africa can be strengthened and consolidated. China is South Africa’s largest trading partner.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, political, economic, trade and multilateral co-operation has increased exponentially.
In addition, South Africa will also participate in the 2010 Shanghai Expo, one of the largest in the world with a view to strengthening the Strategic Partnership between China and South Africa. The Partnership between South Africa and China continues to strengthen, inter alia, through frequent meetings as well as high level visits in both direction and participation in the World Expo will be a further milestone in this regard as South African business enterprises will be afforded the opportunity to exhibit to the largest global audience for six months.
It is expected that discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Yang will focus on, amongst others:
· Co-operation in the arena of international affairs with particular focus on the co-ordination and co-operation in multilateral relations including FOCAC;
· Peacekeeping in Africa and Chinese support thereof;
· Co-operation in capacity building and human resource development in support of the objectives of AsgiSA and JIPSA; and
· Other issues of mutual concern.
While in South Africa Minister Yang is also expected to pay a courtesy call on President Thabo Mbeki.
Minister Yang will depart for the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday 8 January 2008.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Year
Exports
Imports
Total
Balance
1996
785,150
2,396,743
3,181,893
-1,611,593
1997
907,220
3,190,095
4,097,315
-2,282,875
1998
913,461
4,347,047
5,260,508
-3,433,586
1999
1,657,646
5,010,606
6,668,252
-3,352,960
2000
2,410,801
6,935,164
9,345,965
-4,524,363
2001
3,829,982
9,098,558
12,928,540
-5,268,576
2002
4,744,393
14,266,388
19,010,781
-9,521,995
2003
6,704,340
16,600,250
23,304,590
-9,895,910
2004
6,580,392
23,021,153
29,601,545
-16,440,761
2005
8,763,191
31,476,631
40,239,822
-22,713,440
Figures in R 000
Items where South Africa has export potential
The Chinese market represents opportunities for exports. Tie-ups and investment in the following sectors:
• Energy
• Mining and mining related technology
• Engineering
• Financial services
• Biotechnology
• Infrastructure development and construction
• Capital equipment
• Agro-processing
• Tourism
Foreign Direct Investment
Currently Chinese investments into South Africa are US$ 130 million, mostly in a Chromium mine. SA investments in China are US$ 400 million including investments by Anglo American (funds from the UK though), SAB Miller, MIH, a US$ 120 million investment by property group LRPS.
The following sectors have been identified in Cabinet as priority sectors for investment:
· Clothing and Textiles
· Chemicals
· Mineral Beneficiation
· Agro-processing
· Business Process Outsourcing
· Tourism
· Arts and Crafts
· Automotives
· Aerospace, Marine and Rail Transport
