Full Text of Declaration on Partnership Between China and South Africa

Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin and South African President Thabo Mbeki signed Tuesday a declaration on the partnership between the two countries.

Following is the full text of the document:

Pretoria Declaration on the Partnership Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa

We, the Heads of State of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, having gathered in Pretoria on this 25th Day of April in the Year 2000, hereby declare that we:

Recall the ties of friendship and the principles that have brought together the peoples of China and Africa over many years, as articulated 45 years ago at the Bandung conference and also four years ago at the Headquarters of the Organization of African Unity, when the five principles of Sino-African relations were conceptualized as:

.Sincere Friendship

.Equality and Sovereignty

.Common Development on the Basis of Mutual Benefit

.Increased Consultation and Cooperation in International Affairs

.Cooperation in the Establishment of a New International Political and Economic Oder;

Commit ourselves anew to the spirit of partnership and constructive dialogue between China and South Africa, and to the position that there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, as articulated in the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and express appreciation for the noble ideals embodied in the philosophy of the African Renaissance;

Take cognizance of the moral imperative for developing countries to strengthen capacity for cooperation and mutual support in the international economic milieu;

Note with satisfaction the strong growth in political, economic, scientific, technological and cultural relations between our countries, and dedicate ourselves to the further development of these relations on the basis of mutual benefit and in a way that will support and strengthen each other;

Recognize that both China and South Africa share many objectives with regard to key multilateral issues and on the urgent need for the reform of the international multilateral political, economic and financial architecture to reflect new global realities.

Now, therefore we undertake that:

Firstly, the governments of China and South Africa will endeavor to further enhance the existing partnership between them by calling into being, through this Declaration, a high-level Bi-National Commission.

This Bi-National Commission will meet regularly at mutually convenient times and levels. This Bi-National Commission will aim to guide and coordinate all government-to-government relations between China and South Africa, and to consult on matters of mutual interest in the bilateral and multilateral spheres. As such, due cognizance is taken of the existing agreements and arrangements on Bilateral Consultations and Joint Commissions and that this Bi-National Commission will, in principle, safeguard and incorporate those earlier agreements and arrangements.

Both Governments hereby also commit themselves to constructive dialogue, the creation of wealth for their peoples, the safeguarding of their national sovereignty, safety and integrity through the proceedings of the Bi-National Commission. Both Governments also agree that the modalities for the operation of this Bi-National Commission will be confirmed through the Diplomatic Channel and that the first meeting of the Commission will be held at an early date;

Secondly, the Governments of China and South Africa will, within the context of South-South Cooperation, endeavor to develop, strengthen and diversify their economic relationship to the mutual benefit of their peoples, by removing obstacles impeding negatively on their bilateral trade, investment, service and commercial relations. The two Governments will work hard to primarily encourage and support closer cooperation between enterprises of the two countries in the development of natural resources, especially in the areas of mining and manufacturing; Thirdly, the Governments of China and South Africa will cooperate constructively and effectively in the promotion of a new Sino-African relationship on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, by supporting the African continent in its efforts to seek peace, stability and development and by promoting the interests of Africa through multilateral fora such as the G-77 and China, and the structures of the United Nations; and Fourthly, the Government of China and South Africa will support each other in efforts to create a new international political and economic order. The two sides maintain that in this future New Order, the diversity of the world should be respected; the principles of sovereign equality and non- interference in the internal affairs of other countries should be upheld; no country should dominate others; the negative effects of globalization -- especially on developing nations -- should be reduced and restricted; and harmony, democracy, justice and equality in international relations should be actively pursued and fully promoted.

This Declaration publicly states our common guiding vision for the future and the fundamental principles for the forging of even closer and stronger relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa.

This Declaration is signed at Pretoria, on this 25th Day of April in the Year 2000, in the Chinese and English languages, both being equally authentic.

President of the People's Republic of China Jiang Zemin

President of the Republic of South Africa Thabo Mbeki



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