Honourable Ministers, Chairpersons of the South Africa-China Business Forum,
Excellencies Ambassadors of South Africa and China,
President of Business Unity South Africa,
Distinguished Captains of Industry and Commerce,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are delighted to be visiting our friends in the People's Republic of
We look forward to fruitful discussions with His Excellency President HU Jintao, and his delegation, when we begin our official bilateral programme later this afternoon. The talks will surely take the relations between the two countries to greater heights.
I would like to thank the government and people of
When friends were fewer, during the struggle against apartheid,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Some of you may be surprised to hear that trade relations between
We know from historical records that the
We should also recall that the famous Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral, Zheng He, was sent by the Ming Emperor, Yongle, on expeditions to explore the "Western Oceans" in the early fifteenth century. He opened up trade routes as far south as
At that time
It was also during this period that Africa and
Historians record that these ancient relations were based on mutual respect and understanding, territorial integrity, similar values, solidarity and friendship. However, colonialism interrupted these mutually beneficial relations.
The rise of
Our visit is therefore a natural progression, building on relations that date back so many thousands of years ago between
Ladies and gentlemen,
Personally, I am pleased to be back in
Only a few weeks ago, a second group of members of the national executive committee of the South African ruling party was in
We had agreed then with comrades in the Communist Party of China that we had a lot to learn from each other, especially at political and economic levels. We are encouraged by the swift implementation of the decisions of that visit. It augurs well for our relations too, that we have moved quickly to enhance cooperation at the highest level of the two governments, as evidenced by this State Visit. We sincerely thank the government of
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are particularly happy to kick-start this visit by meeting with members of the South Africa-China Business Council. This forum is a crucial mechanism of interaction by our respective business communities.
Let me point out from the onset that for
The quest for beneficial international trade relations is aimed at helping us to achieve the necessary economic growth to enable us to achieve our developmental objectives.
We have to ensure an environment in which decent work is created for, and by our people. We have to improve the quality of education and health care.
We need resources to be able to develop our rural areas, expand our infrastructure network such as roads, bridges, public transport, electricity and water supplies, and enable us to build more secure and thriving communities.
To boost our economic interaction with
This is the biggest business delegation we have ever taken anywhere since the fourth ANC administration came into office. The size of the delegation illustrates the expectations of the South African business community from this relationship between the two countries.
Ladies and gentlemen,
You will agree with me that this State Visit has come at a most opportune moment. Last week,
This success story of
The negative perceptions about
It is estimated that in 2008,
The key driver is also
Only three months ago, the prestigious McKinsey Global Institute issued a very positive report on
In Asia, they have their Asian Tigers; similarly in
The prospects for
The tournament proved
The smooth logistical arrangements as well as security, telecommunications, communications and infrastructure prowess, has proven that South Africa can deliver on its undertakings, and that its economic management prowess cannot be doubted.
The World Cup tournament has also contributed immensely to crushing the stereotypes and prejudice that have followed the African continent for many years.
Nobody can now tell us that
Our message today, co-Chairpersons, is that
We envisage meaningful future co-operation in infrastructure, the beneficiation of minerals, engineering, energy, information and communications technology and electronics.
There are also opportunities to be explored in manufacturing, especially in the automotive, agro-processing and textile areas, the promotion of a green economy, agriculture, infrastructure and skills development.
We must also stress that the development of
In this regard, we wish to express our appreciation to
We would like to propose a more pronounced emphasis on infrastructure development as a focus of the Forum, as it will be a catalyst for faster economic growth and development in
The 23rd Session of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee of the African Union resolved that
We must also explore more extensive collaboration between Africa and
This grouping provides a unique vehicle for South-South co-operation on sustainable development.
Its revitalization is a strategic focus for both
Ladies and gentlemen, Honoured guests,
At a global level,
The two countries also share the ambitions to open up more markets for the developing world, especially for agricultural products.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me reiterate our optimism about the success of this visit. Let me also remind you that good and enduring relations between States are built on sound economic relations.
Governments can create favourable conditions for the conduct of good trade relations, and help to eradicate any obstacles in the way of balanced trade. However, it is the responsibility of the business sector to make the wheels of trade to turn, and to keep them properly oiled.
We leave you with that message and responsibility. And remember,
I thank you.