Joint Communiqué Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa , February 6, 2007

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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 China-South Africa 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, 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 trade and economic website during 2007.

XV. The two sides agree 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 Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition, and has committed concrete support as well as the requisite resources to cooperate with South Africa in human resource development, 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 cooperation 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 realize the Millennium Development Goals.

Culture 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 Africa 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 Africa 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 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 Soccer World Cup and Olympics Games. The two sides will actively promote the attendance of 2008 Olympic Games and the 2010 Soccer World Cup in their respective countries.

XXIII. The two sides will agree on an appropriate programme of culture, 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.

Original source: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjdt/2649/t298180.htm

Other Joint Communiqués:

China-Japan | China-Russian | China-Sri Lanka | China-India-Russia | China-Mozambique | China-South Africa | China-Zambia | China-Japan-Korea | China-Benin | China-Montenegro | China-Uganda | China-Republic of Congo | China-Ghana | China-Georgia | China-Greece | China-Pakistan | China-Malaysia | China-Kazakhstan | China-Samoa | China-Portugal | China-E.U. | China-Vietnam | China-Armenia | China-Brunei Darussalam | China-Albania | China-Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) | China-Fiji Islands | China-Papua New Guinea | China-Moldova | China-Iran | China-Oman | China-United Kingdom |

Other articles and documents on China-Africa relations:

China-Africa Trade Cooperation | The Dragon's Gift-China in Africa | China’s Foreign Aid Activities in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia | China in Africa: Implications for U.S. Policy | China's Foreign Policy and 'Soft Power' in South America, Asia, and Africa | China-Africa Relations and the Global Village | Globalization, Water and Health: Resource Management in Times of Scarcity | Annenberg Dean Speaks on China-Africa Relations | Joint Communiqué Between China and South Africa | Consolidating China-Africa Traditional Friendship | The African American Encounter with Japan and China: Black Internationalism in Asia |