Media Statement
21 October 2019
Bilateral Meeting between Minister Pandor and Minister Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China
Minister Pandor hosted Minister Wang Yi for a bilateral meeting on 18 October 2019 in eThekwini. The two countries conduct bilateral relations through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and bilateral relations are anchored in a shared history of friendship and solidarity. Through frequent exchange of visits, the two countries have greatly strengthened mutual political trust, and synergised development strategies for continued cooperation across regional, continental and international fora for the benefit of our respective peoples.
Various bilateral, multilateral and regional issues were discussed during the bilateral meeting. Furthermore, mention was made of the fact that 31 December 2019 marks the fifth year of the South Africa-China Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation signed in 2014, which forms the basis of cooperation between the two countries for the period 2014-2024. This will continue to provide visible and tangible benefits to the peoples of South Africa and China through, inter alia, the two cooperation platforms, namely the Bi-National Commission and Strategic Dialogue. These two structured mechanisms will be held during the course of this month in Beijing. The Chinese side indicated that they looked forward to Deputy President David Mabuza visiting China for the South Africa-China Bi-National Commission on 31 November 2019.
Minister Pandor reaffirmed that South Africa deems the relationship with the People’s Republic of China as one forged in struggle into a partnership for peace, growth and prosperity. Moreover, Minister Pandor assured her counterpart of South Africa’s diligent pursuit of the strengthening of political and economic relations between the two countries.
Minister Wang Yi also paid a courtesy call on President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
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