South Africa-China Bilateral Relations -H.E Mr. JI Peiding
Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs & member of the Advisory Committee of Foreign Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
China – South Africa Relations & Cooperation in Africa Ms SUN Xiaolin,
Director, Department of Policy Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

DRAFT AGENDA

9:30- 9:35 Opening -Program Chair
9:35-9:45:  Introduction of Distinguished Guests

9:45 – 10:00:  SA Democracy at 20 Years: Summary of SA Foreign Policy in Africa – AISA- HSRC Representative

Panel Chair: 
10:00 – 10:15:   Addressing the African Agenda – South African Representative
10:15 – 10:30 Addressing the African Agenda – China Representative
10-30 – 11:15:   DISCUSSION – WAY FORWARD
11:15 – 11:30 Closing Remarks

Twenty years ago, under the leadership of the late President Nelson Mandela and other veteran freedom fighters, the South African people smashed the inhuman system of apartheid after a long, bitter and arduous struggle, and embarked on a new path towards a democratic and free South Africa.  For twenty years, the government and people of South Africa, thanks to their concerted and pioneering efforts, have achieved gratifying and widely –acclaimed progress in the course of social and transformation and national development. 

On 11 March 2014, President Jacob Zuma launched the Twenty Year Review which reflects on how the country has progressed since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the challenges it still faces and how these can best be addressed.  The report indicates how democratic South Africa has prioritized the development of political and economic relations with African countries.

Since 1994, it has signed 624 agreements and established 40 bilateral mechanisms with countries on the continent.  South Africa also establsihed the birth of initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), African renaissance and the birth of the African Union out of the Organisation of African Unity.

Since the beginning of the 1950s, the Chinese Government and people have been a stout supporter behind the South African people in their fight against apartheid and their pursuit of racial inequality.  The birth of a new South Africa in 1994 presented a vital opportunity for the overall development of South Africa – China relations.  Political ties have grown and cooperation on various fronts continues to deepen and widen with fruitful results.  China like South Africa has been actively involved in promoting the continents developmental agenda which can be evidenced through various aspects such as infrastructure development. 

The Forum for Cooperation between Africa and China (FOCAC) has been a major instrument in facilitating many essential services in areas of science and technology, medical health, skills training and development etc.  The objectives of this seminar while marking 20 years of South African democracy is to establish how both China and South Africa can deepen the continental agenda