Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo, has led a “successful” oversight visit to the South African embassy in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China, where the committee was warmly received by Ambassador Siyabonga Cwele and his staff.
Mahumapelo described the oversight visit as “meaningful”, adding that it shed some light on the huge responsibility facing the South African mission in China to maintain political and economic diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Parliament said the visit also proceeded with meetings with other stakeholders in Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai.
The parliamentary committee members were given a real South African welcome and they expressed appreciation of the the professionalism and dedication displayed by the embassy led by Cwele in facilitating a smooth process.
The main theme of the oversight visit developed from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State Visit to China, where the strategic relationship between South Africa and China was elevated to a new level.
The oversight visit focused on the question of how the South African embassy interprets the elevated relationship and what impact the relationship will have on the lives of South Africans at home.
“The committee heard that political relations between South Africa and China grew out of a relationship established in the 1950s when China supported the African National Congress in the struggle against apartheid.
“The bilateral relations between the two countries are based on mutual trust, shared prosperity and the spirit of friendship and comradeship. The chairperson of the committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, emphasised that the committee supports South Africa’s position that subscribes to the One China Policy, which recognises the People’s Republic of China’s territorial and sovereign primacy over Taiwan,” Parliament said in a statement.
The South African embassy in China is responsible for the strategic management of trade and investment portfolios.
Since 2009, China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner, which has resulted in increased business interactions between the two countries.
Last month, IOL reported that Ambassador of China to South Africa Wu Peng addressed the National Press Club in Pretoria, where he saluted the South African government for championing the One-China Policy, which was reiterated by Ramaphosa during his recent two-legged trip to China.
Ramaphosa reiterated in China that the Government of National Unity formed after the May 29 general elections does not “dilute” Pretoria’s long-held position which assets that there is only one sovereign State under the name China, with China serving as the sole legitimate government, “and Taiwan as an inalienable part of China”.
Reacting to Ramaphosa’s historic visit, the Chinese ambassador said Pretoria’s consistent upholding of the One-China Policy was highly appreciated.
“China highly appreciates South Africa’s reiteration of its commitment to the One-China Policy, acknowledging that there is only one China, that the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government of China, and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. China also appreciates South Africa’s support for our efforts toward national reunification,” Wu told the National Press Club event.
At the gathering, the Chinese diplomat also interacted with several representatives of South African media who toured China for Ramaphosa’s State Visit and the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
“All of our friends present today represent the bridges that will bring hope to China-Africa people-to-people exchanges,” he said at the event, also attended by officials from the Presidency and the Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS).
For the past 15 years in a row, China has been the largest trading partner not only for South Africa, but also for the Africa continent. On the other hand, South Africa has now been China’s largest trading partner in Africa for 14 years straight.
In the first half of this year, China imported US$17.3 billion of goods from South Africa, a year-on-year increase of 10.7%.
More than 200 Chinese companies have invested or started businesses in South Africa, creating over 400,000 local jobs.
IOL