SA SHARES IN CHINA’S 70TH FOUNDING CELEBRATIONS

WE JOIN the world and our country to congratulate President Xi Jinping and all people of Chinese descent for reaching 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

China’s great achievements since October 1, 1949 are a clear indication of what leadership, political will, and determination can achieve. China’s success is also testament to the indestructible will, capacity, and creative force of the ordinary masses of China.

Such an achievement can only be a perfect tribute to Chairman Mao Zedong, who said in April 1945 that “the people, and the people alone, are the motive force in the making of world history”.

The commemoration reminds us of the long journey we have travelled together and strong bonds we have.

Side by side with Chinese immigrants, South African and African migrants went deep down in the dark underbelly of the dangerous gold mines at the beginning of the 20th century to mine gold.

China was an unambiguous ally and sponsor of the liberation movement that brought apartheid to its knees. When the ANC-led multiracial Congress Alliance adopted the Freedom Charter in Kliptown in June 1955, it received a message of support for it from China’s first prime minister, Zhou Enlai.

When founding president Nelson Mandela was in prison, the memory of China helped him survive. On Robben Island he absorbed Chinese philosophers and military strategists including Confucius, Mao Zedong and Sun Tzu. He saw China as the ultimate symbol of possibility and victory against the most challenging obstacles. China was the model of the revolution and enduring hope for human development.

Speaking in Beijing in 1999, Mandela said: “Our freedom will remain fragile and our rights empty shells if millions of South Africans continue to be cursed by the legacy of homelessness and hunger, illhealth and illiteracy. We have made remarkable progress in improving the lives of our people, but it will take many years to complete the task.”

Today, with the threat to global peace, the penchant for unilateralism, and the concerning illegal trade wars, South Africa needs to strengthen its ties with China through our bilateral engagements and through BRICS.

Only by working together can we contribute effectively to the global agenda through multilateral bodies like the UN to promote inclusive development, fair trade, and international peace.

Mandela said at Peking University: “Today a new Asia is emerging. Africa is renewing herself. As they do so, a new relationship between Africa and Asia must take shape. For that to happen, the new world order will have to emerge to promote equity and to safeguard world peace….”

We wish to thank the People’s Republic of China for demonstrating confidence in our continent and our country. KwaZulu-Natal will continue to nurture the excellent relations we have built regions and cities in China.

As we congratulate you, please remember again that KZN is open for business. We see you as important partners to grow strategic sectors of the KZN economy, like the oceans economy, aquaculture, agriculture, information and communication technologies, health, tourism, transport, and construction.

Allow me to thank all people of Chinese descent who are living, working, and doing business in KZN. We value you immensely.

When China wins, South Africa and our continent win, so we can only wish you well.

This is an extract of KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala’s speech at the gala celebration.

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As we congratulate you, please remember that KZN is open for business. We see you as important partners.