20 years of SA-China diplomatic relations

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma yesterday expressed his well wishes on the occasion of 20 years of diplomatic relations with China.

“The government and the people of the Republic of South Africa join me in conveying to the government and people of the People’s Republic of China our warmest greetings.”

According to the Presidency, the Republic of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China have reached the important milestone of 20 years of formal diplomatic relations.

China is not only South Africa’s largest trading partner, but it has also emerged as a significant investor in both infrastructure and industrial projects in South Africa.

In the previous two decades the countries assumed increased strategic significance, starting with a partnership in 2000, then a strategic partnership in 2004, and ultimately to comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) since the signing of the Beijing Declaration in 2010.

Last year also saw South Africa and China strengthening their friendship through the inaugural South Africa-China high-level people-topeople exchange mechanism in April in Pretoria.

South Africa also advanced the China-Africa partnership by continuing to co-chair the forum on China-Africa co-operation (Focac), and working towards implementing the outcomes of the 2015 Focac Johannesburg Summit.

China hosted the ninth Brics summit in Xiamen last year, with South Africa scheduled to host the 10th Brics summit in 2018. – African News Agency/ANA