China and Africa united by a common destiny (2)

Ahead of the FOCAC Summit, President Zuma hosted President Xi Jinping on a State Visit. The interactions between the South African and Chinese delegations concluded with the signing of 26 agreements. As with Agenda 2063, the implementation of these agreements will see South Africa make strides towards the growth and development of its economy. This will have a direct impact on our socio-economic development.

Some of the key agreements include:

MoU on Jointly Building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road

Both South Africa and China will promote the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road).

Agreement between the Department of Environmental Affairs and the NDRC on Strengthening Cooperation in the Oceans Economy

This agreement aims to promote cooperation on the Oceans Economy between the two countries and related organisations and enterprises. This agreement is directly aligned to South Africa’s Operation Phakisa.

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Health and Medical Sciences between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa

The MoU in Health and Medical Sciences will expand exchanges in the fields of public health, health care delivery systems and biomedical sciences, as well as establish regular cooperation between health institutions.

MoU on Cooperation and Development on Science Parks

The MoU on Science Park Cooperation will promote cooperation in business incubation, high-end skills development and ICT research and development investment.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Public Enterprises, Republic of South Africa, and the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, The People’s Republic of China

This MOU will facilitate the strengthening cooperation in terms of infrastructure construction projects; information communications, as well as co-operation between Chinese and South African energy related companies.

Action Plan on Cooperation in Human Resource Development between the Department of Higher Education and Training of the Republic of South Africa and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China

Two thousand training opportunities will be offered to South Africa for the period 2015-2020.

Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Co-Operation entered into between Eskom and State Grid Corporation Of China

This MOU will facilitate cooperation in the field of energy and will also enable the pursuit of commercial opportunities and exchange information on projects in geographic regions of mutual interest in the fields of transmission and distribution projects; renewable energy projects, off-grid rural electrification programmes.

Loan Agreement between the China Development Bank Corporation and Eskom

Eskom and the China Development Bank will conclude a loan agreement to facilitate-South Africa-China investment and trade cooperation and to further support Eskom’s infrastructure construction. The loan facility is to the value of USD 500,000,000.

Framework Cooperation Agreement between the China Export Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) and Transnet

Sinosure will provide insurance support to Transnet up to a total amount of USD 2.5 billion to support procurement by Transnet of mechanical and electrical products, whole-set equipment from Chinese enterprises, projects contracted by Chinese enterprises in South Africa, as well as operation, maintenance and other related services.

Strategic Cooperation Agreement to Fund Infrastructure and Industrial Development Projects in South Africa and the Rest of Africa between China Construction Bank Corporation and Industrial Corporation of South Africa Limited

The Parties will fund Infrastructure and Industrial Development projects, directly and indirectly in South Africa and the rest of Africa, subject to their internal funding processes.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)

The BAIC and the IDC will establish motor vehicle manufacturing facilities in South Africa at a coastal city either Durban or East London which will create jobs and manufacture motor vehicles for sale in South Africa and the rest of the African continent.

Cooperation Framework Agreement between the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) and the China Communications Construction Company

This Agreement aims to establish and develop long-term cooperation to fund and implement new projects in the water and sanitation sector in South Africa.

Agreement on the Final Acceptance for CBERS-04 Satellite Ground System in South Africa between the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the China Aerospace, Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) appointed the China Centre for Earth Resource Satellite Data & Application (CRESDA) to build the CBERS-04 Satellite Ground System for the South Africa National Space Agency (SANSA). The CBERS-04 Satellite Ground System was formally handed over to SANSA while President Xi Jinping was in South Africa.

Collaboration and Framework Agreement between Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Standard Bank-South Africa

Standard Bank South Africa and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China will co-operate to strengthen various sectors of the South African economy, with a particular focus on power and infrastructure. The Agreement is worth up to R10 billion over the next 5 years.

Cooperation Agreement between Investec and the Export-Import Bank of China

Investec Bank and the China Export-Import Bank will cooperation in projects to enhance trade between China and South Africa in mechanical and electronic products, complete sets of equipment, high and new-technology products, energy, raw materials, agricultural products and other products consistent with the economic and industrial development goals of both countries; energy and infrastructure projects located in China, South Africa or third countries in sub-Saharan Africa to be invested or developed by Chinese and/or South African enterprises, amongst other fields.

The extent of the Agreements finalised both for Africa and South Africa attest to the strength of relations between China and the continent. The implementation of these agreements will see both Africa and China achieve a vision of a common destiny of growth, development and prosperity. FOCAC 2015 must indeed be remembered by historians as the point at which relations between China and Africa moved towards a strategic vision for win-win cooperation.

The author is Chairperson of Brand South Africa.