We have just returned from a successful State Visit from China, which took place from 23 to 26 August 2010. President Jacob G Zuma was accompanied by 14 Ministers and more than 380 business persons. This signifies the unprecedented interest this visit enjoyed in South Africa. It is also a reflection of the growing economic relations between South Africa and China, and the increase in people to people contacts between our two nations. It also mirrors the fact that the rise of the Chinese economy has not gone unnoticed in South Africa.

The overall objective of the State Visit was to strengthen and deepen the relations between SA and China to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The specific objectives of the State Visit were the following:

1. To sign the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Declaration
2. To strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations
3. To strengthen cooperation between SA and China in advancing Peace, Security and Socio-Economic Development on the African Continent
4. To coordinate multilateral positions with China in the UNSC, G20, Climate Change and South-South organisations.

Successes of the visit

The Presidents co-signed the Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (South Africa is the first African country to sign such a Declaration with China and China has signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with only eleven countries throughout the world. South Africa views the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the beginning of a new Chapter in our relations that would guide and serve as a framework for SA–China relations for the next 10 to 15 years.

For the first time China has committed in the CSP to the following:

1. Work towards more balance of trade
2. Encouraging trade in manufactured value, added products
3. Increase trade and investment missions
4. Establishment of a Joint Working Group on trade statistics
5. China to encourage its enterprises to increase investment in SA's manufacturing industry
6. Promote value-adding activities in close proximity to the source of raw materials
7. Beneficiation at source be facilitated
8. Cooperate and provide mutual technical support in the areas of green economy, skills development and industrial financing
9. Encourage companies from both countries to explore cooperation opportunities in infrastructure construction projects such as roads, railways, ports, power generation, airports and housing

In addition to the above-mentioned issues, the following areas were identified for future cooperation in the CSP:

1. Science and Technology
2. Agriculture/Agro processing/Forestry
3. Water
4. Vocational Training / Training
5. Tourism Development
6. Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development

• Both countries also agreed to cooperate on G20, Climate Change, reform of UN Security Council, and South-South Cooperation.
• President Zuma addressed two Business Seminars, in Beijing and Shanghai respectively. Sixteen (16) business contracts were signed between SA and Chinese companies. A loan Agreement was signed between Cell C and China Development Bank totalling US$303.6 as well as the Discovery, buying 20% of Ping An Health Insurance Co.

The following Agreements/ MoUs were signed during the visit:

1. Beijing Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
2. MoU on the Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic Passports
3. MoU on the Establishment of the China- South Africa Minerals Cooperation Sectoral Committee
4. MoU on the Establishment of the China-South Africa Sectoral Committee on Energy Matters
5. MoU on Cooperation in Railway Related Matters
6. MoU on Cooperation in Transport Related Matters
7. MoU on Energy Cooperation
8. MoU in the Field of Environmental Management 

• In Shanghai, the President viewed the SA Pavilion which has attracted more than 2,5 million people so far. Participation at the Shanghai 2010 World Expo is indeed a success and has contributed significantly to increase the positive image of SA in China and globally.
• Lastly, the countries reaffirmed their commitment to holding the Bi-National Commission every two years at the Deputy Presidential level as well as annual Ministerial consultations. The respective Presidents will meet at bilateral and multilateral level when the opportunity arises.

Wayforward

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will have the honour of hosting his counterpart, Vice President Xi Jinping, at the fourth BNC towards the end of November 2010. Vice President Xi Jinping is expected to attend. This BNC should be viewed as an instrument that monitors implementation of all agreements signed between the two countries. During the BNC, Joint Action Plans would be developed to implement the CSP.

It is expected that the BNC Sectoral Groups will be expanded to include areas that were not covered previously.