Ambassador: Bilateral relations are vibrant and fruitful

Over the 10 years since formal ties between China and South Africa were established, bilateral relations have witnessed all-round and in-depth development that has brought both countries fruitful cooperation in bilateral and international affairs, South African ambassador to China Ndumiso Ndima Ntshinga tells China Daily.

Celebrations

January 1, 1998 was an historic day for the two countries - the day formal diplomatic relations were established, Ntshinga recalls.

Both South African and Chinese leaders and various government departments have attached great importance to the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations, with both sides holding celebrations and planning more activities this year.

On January 1 the presidents and foreign ministers of the two countries exchanged congratulatory messages marking the occasion to begin the year of celebration, the ambassador said.

Special commemorative envelopes were then issued by the Chinese postal authority and historic antiques including the famous Terra-Cotta Warriors were put on exhibition in Pretoria.

"We will have a number of activities in China in April helping introduce aspects of South African life to the Chinese people," the ambassador said, including a "South African Week" held in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

He said fashion shows, films, wine tastings, musical performances and a food festival will be included in the celebrations.

"South Africans and Chinese need to know each other and in the past 10 years our diplomatic relations have moved unbelievably quickly." He added.

'Huge support'

The China-South Africa relationship has become one of the most important between China and African countries, as well as between China and developing nations.

"South Africa has received huge support from China in many ways," the ambassador said.

Political trust between the two continues to strengthen through steady growth in exchanges over the past decade.

Former South AfricanPresident Nelson Mandela and former Chinese President Jiang Zemin exchanged state visits when diplomatic ties began. In the last two years, Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao paid visits to South Africa while President Mbeki and Vice President Mlambo-Ngcuka visited China. Foreign ministers also exchanged visits within the past year.

Vibrant exchanges in the civil, cultural, academic and media spheres have also contributed to the mutual understanding of the two peoples.

Rapid growth in trade and economic cooperation from both sides has brought benefits to the two peoples.

In 2007, bilateral trade volume reached $14.04 billion, almost 8 times that of 2000, according to Chinese Customs.

Enterprises from both countries have manifested a strong willingness to cooperate, enlarging a wide rage of investments.

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China invested $5.46 billion in South Africa's Standard Bank last year, the largest Chinese investment in Africa to date.

The two countries are in a concerted effort to further build a partnership for growth and development. Close consultation on climate change, African development and other major international and regional issues is ongoing.

Further cooperation

"The two countries have too much in common and too much to do. To some extent, both face similar problems as developing countries," the ambassador said.

Ntshinga expressed his hope that both nations will continue high-level visits and build mutual understanding and friendship for closer communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

As Sino-South African cultural exchanges increase and the Chinese economy grows, more and more South African people want to know more about China.

At the same time more Chinese nationals have been traveling to South Africa, which also contributes to exchanges and understanding between the people of the two countries.

South Africa has multiple strategies for the problems the country faces to decrease the unemployment rate, make the police more effective and alleviate poverty, all of which will have impacts on the crime rate, Ntshinga said.

He also expects further cooperation in agriculture, economy, trade, science and technology, education and human resources.

Ntshinga said China and South Africa have launched a website in both Chinese and English that provides a forum for both sides to understand each other and to exchange experience.

The year 2008 is important for China because of the Beijing Olympics. Almost every Chinese knows the theme of the 2008 Games - "One World, One Dream. "

The FIFA World Cup 2010 will be held in South Africa, so the two countries "need to exchange experiences on how to organize huge international activities", the ambassador said.

China now has diplomatic ties with 49 African countries. Enhancing solidarity and cooperation with African countries has long been an important component of China's foreign policy.

Concerted efforts and friendly cooperation between China and South Africa will achieve further development, making significant contribution to the building of a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.

(China Daily 04/24/2008 page17)