By Thobile Jiwulane:
Ties between China and South Africa are taking a new turn where not only the state officials of both countries are conversing on diplomatic and trade issues, but academics, business people and civil society have joined the fray to make positive remarks about the deepening relationship between the two countries.
This became clear during a promotional event held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 3 for the English edition of the fifth volume of “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China,”. The event drew around 200 participants who discussed various aspects of the book.
According to the participants, the fifth volume reflects the latest developments of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, systematically demonstrates the defining features, practical pathways and remarkable achievements of China’s path to modernisation, and offers valuable insights and approaches for Global South countries pursuing their own modernisation.
China and South Africa, both key members of the BRICS cooperation mechanism and important forces in the Global South, will work together to implement the 10 partnership actions for advancing modernisation, promote the four major global initiatives, and contribute to the revitalisation and development of the Global South as well as to the realisation of the shared dream of China-Africa modernisation, they said.
South Africa and China remain aligned in advancing multilateralism
South African Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, said the book covers key areas, including China’s modernisation pathway, the fight against poverty, global development cooperation, and technological innovation, among others.
It provides a valuable window and inspiration for the Global South into how China interprets and responds to global challenges, Ramokgopa said.
South Africa and China remain aligned in advancing multilateralism and collective action to accelerate development and strengthen synergies and cooperation between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030, she added.
Ramokgopa said China’s development and transformation are an inspiration for the Global South and provide important lessons in impactful governance and nation-building.
“South Africa values its comprehensive strategic partnership with China. Our collaboration spans trade, investment, infrastructure development, digital technology, skills training and people-to-people relations. As the South African Government, we consider China an important partner and an inspiration in implementing reforms and building a sustainable and inclusive world.
This was emphasised last year by Their Excellencies President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa, who deepened South Africa and China’s diplomatic ties to an “All Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in a New Era,” Ramokgopa said.
China’s developmental trajectory provides important lessons for South Africa on strategic persistence, coherence in national objectives and their attainment, and deepening state capacity. “Our shared commitment to national development and strengthening state capacity is an important driver of South Africa and China’s partnership. This is evident in our continued efforts to strengthen synergy and cooperation between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and South Africa’s National Development Plan: Vision 2030 (NDP) to achieve mutually beneficial developmental outcomes between our nations,” Ramokgopa said.
The Africa-China cooperation helps to advance Africa’s goals
Also speaking at the event, China’s Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, explained the contents of the book. He noted that the book illustrates the historical trajectory of China’s path and its contributions to the world.
“China is a major country with a population of over 1.4 billion, and we have no other country to copy from in the path to our modernisation. The book systematically explains how China has pursued its own path around the central task of Chinese-style modernisation, eradicated absolute poverty, and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects,” Wu said.
The Ambassador joined Minister Ramokgopa in highlighting the relationship between Africa and South Africa in particular and China and how this helps to advance Africa’s objectives.
“As we speak, there is a new awakening in Africa. Africa is steadily advancing towards the goals of industrialisation, connectivity and poverty reduction outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. China hopes to work with African countries to advance modernisation, play a leading role in the modernisation of the Global South, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind,” Wu said.
The book offers South Africa a window into China’s new development vision
South African National Assembly House Chairperson Cedric Frolick said that the book presents a comprehensive blueprint for China’s future development and offers South Africa a window into China’s latest development vision and foreign policy priorities.
The concepts of putting people first, pursuing green development, promoting common prosperity, and building a community with a shared future for humanity provide important insights for countries seeking to advance modernisation and strengthen their governance capacity, he added.
During the event, copies of the English edition of the fifth volume of “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China” were presented to the guests.
The participants also exchanged views on topics including sharing modernisation experiences, global governance and the Global South, and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, among others.
The event was co-hosted by the State Council Information Office of China, the China International Communications Group, and the Chinese Embassy in South Africa. – @NewsSA_Online
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