Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE VISIT OF MR QIAN QICHEN, VICE PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Mr Qian Qichen, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, and a large official delegation will visit South Africa as guests of Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo from 28 December 1997 to 1 January 1998. Vice Premier Qian and Foreign Minister Nzo will sign agreements to establish diplomatic and consular relations between the two countries, at the Union Buildings on 30 December 1997. An investment protection agreement will also be signed. These agreements will take effect on 1 January 1998. All journalists covering this event are requested to use the Western entrance to the Eastern Wing of the Union Buildings, in order to obtain access to room 159. To allow for security checks, journalists are urged to arrive at 09:45 at the very latest. Valid Press Cards essential.
Direct trade between South Africa and China is anticipated to reach 1,6 billion US dollars this year. This figure excludes the trade worth 1,4 billion US dollars that South Africa enjoys with Hong Kong, of which approximately 70% is with China. The total trade with China makes it South Africa's sixth biggest trading partner.
Mr Qian will visit Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. He will meet President Nelson Mandela, Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, Foreign Minister Nzo, the Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala, KwaZulu-Premier Frank Ngubane, Gauteng Premier Tokyo Sexwale and to local Chinese community.
Minister Nzo and Mr Qian will host a joint media conference after the signing ceremony on 30 December, after which Vice Premier Qian will address the media. On the evening of 30 December, Mr Qian will make a formal policy speech at a function in the Sandton Sun Inter-Continental Hotel. A formal opening ceremony of the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria will be held on New Year's Day.
Enquiries may be directed to Pieter Swanepoel, Media Liaison of the Department of Foreign Affairs, at 083-225-0209, or Mr Pan Qi, Media Liaison of the Chinese Centre for South African Studies at 012-342-4194
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 22 DECEMBER 1997