Great potential for China-SA ties in 2019: South African ambassador

Bilateral ties between China and South Africa have developed significantly over the past few years, and the two nations will strengthen cooperation in multiple areas in the coming year to boost the development of the whole African continent, noted South African Ambassador to China, Dolana Msimang.

“Ever since our two nations established diplomatic ties, our cooperation has developed significantly in many areas, especially in bilateral trade, from 1.8 billion dollars in 1998 to 39 billion dollars in 2017,” said Msimang.

According to Xinhua, Chinese investment in South Africa has now exceeded 25 billion dollars. As the South African government continues to champion the development of special economic zones, more Chinese companies are expected to investment in this area.

“We would like to enhance our ties even more, attract more Chinese investment to our country, as well as exporting South African products to China,” added Msimang.

Noting that 2018 was a fruitful year for the development of China-South African ties, Msimang said that the two countries would further strengthen their cooperation in 2019, with a focus on the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will take place in Beijing in April, as well as the first China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, expected to take place in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province in June.

“Our two nations’ relations reached an unprecedented high in 2018, we would like to cooperate more in 2019 as well,” said Msimang.

The ambassador also congratulated Chinese people on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, noting that China’s achievements have provided an example for African countries.

“The founding of the PRC was an inspiration for us. China is the second biggest economy in the world now, observing China’s development gives us hope that one day we can also get to the point where China is,” she added.