Pretoria - South Africa and China’s bilateral relations will be further strengthened next week, when the two countries get together for the 5th Bi-National Commission (BNC).
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to co-chair the BNC, which is scheduled for 28 – 29 October, with his Chinese counterpart Li Yuanchao, in China.
The BNC is seen as a useful vehicle in reviewing progress and identifying a way forward on areas of co-operation between China and South Africa.
According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1998, the relationship between South Africa and China has been growing steadily.
It started from a Partnership in 2000, leading to the establishment of the Bi-National Commission in 2001, to a Strategic Partnership in 2008 and to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2010 with the signing of the Beijing Declaration.
The 5th BNC will take place within the context of the Beijing Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Partnership contributes to South Africa's domestic development imperatives and economic priorities. These include access to quality education, improved health care, comprehensive rural development, creation of decent jobs and fighting crime and corruption.
The two countries share extensive trade and economic relations, with China being South Africa’s largest trading partner and a major investor in key sectors such as mining and financial services.
Total trade currently stands at R202 billion, with both countries already committed to working together to raise the volumes of trade and investment between the two.
Currently, the two sides participate in various multilateral forums, including the G20 and G77+China, BRICS, FOCAC, BASIC.
Dirco spokesperson Clayson Moneyla says Pretoria’s relations with China are conducted within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“South Africa and China are working together to address development challenges and strengthen China-Africa relations.”
Monyela says an important milestone in Sino-South Africa relations was last year, when South Africa assumed the Co-Chairship of FOCAC for the next six years, and will host the next FOCAC Ministerial Meeting in 2015.
“During its tenure South Africa will continue to ensure the advancing of South-South cooperation and that special attention is given to the implementation of the African Agenda.”
Motlanthe will be accompanied by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu; Minister of Public Service and Administration, Lindiwe Sisulu; Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk; Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ebrahim Ebrahim; Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Thandi Tobias-Pokolo; Deputy Minister of Energy, Barbara Thompson; and the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Bulelani Magwanishe.
After China, Motlanthe will proceed to Mongolia for an official visit, aimed at to strengthening bilateral, political, social and economic cooperation between South Africa and the Central Asian country. - SAnews.gov.za
