26 March 2000
Beijing - Foreign Minister Dlamini-Zuma is in Beijing for a one-day official visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC) which began on Friday, 24th March, 2000 with a courtesy call on President Jiang Zemin. In the afternoon, Minister Dlamini-Zuma and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan engaged in bilateral discussions for ninety minutes followed by a dinner hosted by Minister Tang Jiaxuan.
During the meeting with President Jiang Zemin, the focus was on the President's forthcoming visit to South Africa, scheduled for 24 to 27 April, 2000. In addition to strengthening co-operation between the two countries through a meaningful visit by President Jiang Zemin, South Africa also looked forward to strengthening the framework of the relationship through signing a number of bilateral agreements. "We need to further strengthen the growing relationship through being pragmatic and aiming for practical results" Minister Dlamini-Zuma said. "Over and above diplomatic niceties, we also need to add content to President Jiang Zemin's upcoming visit to South Africa". Other topics included the proposed China-Africa Forum scheduled to take place in Beijing during the period 10 to 12 October, 2000.
The lengthy bilateral discussion with foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan focused on the China-Africa Forum and the need to include substantive trade and development-related issues on the agenda for discussion at the proposed conference. Minister Dlamini-Zuma also raised the need to address the current trade imbalance with China. Other topics included a briefing on the African Renaissance and ongoing peace initiatives in Africa, as well as the implementation of the proposed Joint Commission between South Africa and China. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan emphasized the need for consultation and consensus-building among developing countries at multilateral fora and work towards common positions on issues such as debt rescheduling and non-proliferation.
During the day the Minister also addressed the African group of Ambassadors stationed in Beijing and attended a luncheon hosted by Vice Foreign Minister Ji Peiding.
In her address to African Ambassadors, Minister Dlamini-Zuma stressed the need for African states to participate actively in the planned China-Africa Forum and said there should be more focus on trade and development in Africa. The Minister encouraged African representatives in China to participate meaningfully in the preparations and said it was very important for African states to have a clear idea of what the conference could actually do for the continent. Minister Dlamini-Zuma's discussions with the Chinese government also focused on increasing tourism to South Africa, strengthening cultural ties, science and technology.
Foreign Minister Dlamini-Zuma's delegation to the PRC included South Africa's Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology and senior Home Affairs officials who used the opportunity to meet with their counterparts from the relevant PRC government ministries to discuss a variety of immigration issues. The Minister will attend the South African Heads of Mission to Asia conference on Saturday before she departs Beijing on Sunday, 26th March 2000, to begin an official visit to Japan.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
PRIVATE BAG X152
Pretoria