South African President, Chinese FM Hold Talks

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, January 16, 2002

South African President, Chinese FM Hold Talks

South African President Thabo Mbeki met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan in Pretoria, January 15, and the two parties exchanged views on regional and global issues of common concern.

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South African President Thabo Mbeki met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan in Pretoria, January 15, and the two parties had a friendly conversation.

Mbeki said he had a successful visit to China last December and, not long after that, Chinese FM visited South Africa, a prove of close, friendly ties between the two nations. Since the world situation is in constant changes and the Africa Continent is also facing many problems, South Africa hopes to maintain the stability, peace and development of the region together with China through frequent exchange of views and close cooperation.

Tang said President Mbeki, during his state visit to China at the end of last year, launched the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission together with Chinese President Jiang Zemin, which injected new energy for all-round cooperation between the two parties. Tang added that his visit was aimed to preside over the first session of the Commission with his South African counterpart Nkosazana Zuma to exchange views on regional and global issued of common concern, and broad consensus had been reached through their talks.

Mbeki and Tang also exchanged views on bilateral ties, regional, global issues, as well as how to combine the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and "New Partner Program for Africa Development".

China's readiness to fulfill WTO obligations

Tang Jiaxuan reiterated that China will earnestly fulfill its obligations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) while enjoying its rights.

With its official accession into the WTO at the end of last year, China will take part in international economic cooperation and competition with "a wider and deeper involvement", Tang said while addressing more than 200 South African businessmen at a gathering arranged by the South African African-Asian Society.

"China is a responsible country," Tang stressed, while pledging that the country will open up step by step a wide range of sectors such as financial services, insurance, telecommunications, trade, commerce, transportation, construction, tourism and intermediary services.

"We will vigorously explore new ways and means for the use of foreign capital," he said. "We will allow overseas investors to set up joint ventures, cooperative ventures or wholly-funded ventures in the above-mentioned sectors in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of China and gradually lift the geographical restrictions for such operations."

Moreover, China will adopt open, transparent and equitable trade and investment policies, continue to improve the investment and business conditions, encourage fair competition, accord national treatment where needed and further strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and all the legitimate rights and interests of overseas investors, the minister said. (In Detail)

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By PD Online Staff Li Heng
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