Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the
Seminar on Sustainable Development Goals 2030
and African Union Agenda 2063
Wenze You, Consul General
of the People’s Republic of China in Cape Town
30 May 2023, School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University
Honourable Ms Noxolo Kiviet, Minister for the Public Service and Administration
Ms Yoliswa Makhasi, Director General of the Department of Public Service and Administration
Prof. Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University
Colleagues from Diplomatic Corps and Consul Corps
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning!
It is a great honour for me to join with you today to make remarks on solidarity as a BRICS Partner of South Africa at today’s seminar on behalf of H.E. Mr Chen Xiaodong, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa.
Let me begin by warmly congratulating South Africa for the remarkable achievements that you have made since taking over the BRICS Chairship this January and all the preparations for the year’s BRICS Summit, as well as for promoting BRICS cooperation in various fields.
South Africa identified this year’s BRICS cooperation priorities as strengthening multilateralism, promoting trade and investment, addressing climate change, accelerating post-COVID recovery, implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and deepening exchanges on vocational education. These priorities not only comply with the needs of the current international situation and BRICS cooperation but also show continuity and novelty and provide a clear and workable roadmap for BRICS cooperation this year. China fully supports them. We believe that under the guidance of South Africa, new results will be achieved in BRICS cooperation across the board, new progress will be made in BRICS expansion, and new dynamics will be brought to the long-term development of BRICS.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Transformations of the world unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. Changes in the world, of our times, and of the historical trajectory are taking place in ways like never before. Over the past 17 years, the giant ship of BRICS has sailed forward tenaciously against raging torrents and storms and embarked on a righteous course of mutual support and win-win cooperation. It not only brought positive energy to the turbulent international situation amidst a sluggish world economy but also gave a strong boost to the international influence of the emerging markets and the developing countries at large.
BRICS stands as a fine example of multilateralism. Under the current situation, we need to practice true multilateralism. We should coordinate our positions and speak with one voice on such matters as counter-terrorism, security in the use of information and communication technology (ICT), outer space, anti-drug and peacekeeping. We need to strengthen communication and cooperation at the United Nations, G20 and other frameworks to help improve the global governance system and rules to make the international order more just and reasonable.
All BRICS countries are faced with the tough tasks of sustaining economic growth, ensuring people's livelihoods and promoting development. At the same time, there is great potential for BRICS cooperation on sustainable development and climate response. We should give full play to existing mechanisms, and continue to open up new horizons and foster new growth areas. The African Continental Free Trade Area is a milestone in the African economic integration process. China will continue to support its development and explore ways to strengthen practical cooperation in all areas under the BRICS framework.
Education is of fundamental importance to a country. It holds the key to increasing the endogenous driver for development. Vocational education is both inclusive and lifelong. It is an important segment for mutual learning and people-to-people exchanges among BRICS countries. Our five countries need to seize the historic opportunity presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and make good use of these new platforms to continue deepening education cooperation and provide new BRICS solutions to poverty and unemployment.
China commends South Africa for making BRICS expansion a priority for this year and continues holding such important events as the BRICS Plus Leaders’ Meeting. In recent years, many countries have asked to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism. Under the new circumstances, it is all the more important for BRICS countries to pursue development with open doors and boost cooperation with open arms. China stands ready to work with all parties to continue to enrich BRICS Plus cooperation, and steadily advance BRICS expansion, in line with the consensus of our leaders, to foster a more dynamic BRICS family with wider representation and bigger influence in the world.
China will extend full support to the Chairship of South Africa. We firmly believe that the BRICS Johannesburg Summit, which will be chaired by President Ramaphosa this August, will be a great success. We also believe that under South Africa’s Chairship, we will continue to deepen BRICS strategic partnership, advance our high-quality cooperation and make greater contributions to world peace and development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
China is not only a BRICS partner of South Africa but also a comprehensive strategic partner for South Africa. In recent years, under the joint guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa, political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, and cooperation in various fields has become increasingly close, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
China has been South Africa’s largest trade partner for 14 consecutive years, and our bilateral trade reached 56.7 billion US dollars in 2022 with an increase of 5 per cent. China has become an important export market for South Africa's beef, citrus, wine, oysters, Rooibos tea and many other products. China's investment in South Africa totalled over 25 billion US dollars, which created over 400,000 local jobs.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, and the two countries' relationship stands at a new historical starting point. Looking ahead, we have many new opportunities for the further growth of China-South Africa relations.
First, it is important to strengthen the exchange of experience in governance. China is ready for more high-level visits, inter-party exchanges and institutionalized exchanges with South Africa. We are ready to share our experience in poverty reduction, development and revitalization with your side and to jointly enhance governance capacity through mutual learning and explore modernization paths that suit our respective national conditions.
Second, it is important to deepen win-win cooperation. China will remain committed to developing the real economy, and advance new industrialization and a high level of opening up. China is ready to strengthen practical cooperation with South Africa under Belt and Road Initiative and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and focus on cooperation in new sectors such as 5G, digital economy, high-tech, e-commerce, smart cities and clean energy. We are ready to work to see more projects under FOCAC’s nine programs implemented here in South Africa.
Third, it is important to enhance international collaboration. China and South Africa are both important developing countries. We have the same or similar views on the international order and global governance. China is ready to continue to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with South Africa and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and our common interests.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Last October, the Communist Party of China successfully held its 20th National Congress, which laid out the central task of realizing the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. It is a grand blueprint for China’s future development.
Chinese modernization contains elements that are common to the modernization processes of all countries, but it is more characterized by features that are unique to the Chinese context. It is the modernization of a huge population. It is the modernization of common prosperity for all. It is the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement. It is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature. It is the modernization of peaceful development.
Chinese modernization is deeply rooted in Chinese history, practices and philosophies. It is the natural choice of China’s 100-year-long quest for development. It is the natural requirement for promoting national rejuvenation on all fronts. It is a natural outcome of the laws governing human development.
As the biggest developing country, China always keeps in mind the greater good of the whole world. The Chinese path to modernization is not a one-flower show, still less for self-interest. It is a path toward the development of China, through which more positive energy will be added to global peace and new opportunities created for global development. Here is what I believe:
The modernization of China with such a huge population will be a stronger boost for global economic recovery. The modernization of China with common prosperity for all will open up a broader path to the common development of all countries. The modernization of China with material and cultural-ethical advancement will open up bright prospects for human progress. The modernization of China with harmony between humanity and nature will provide a more viable pathway to a clean and beautiful world. The modernization of China on the path of peaceful development will bring more certainty to world peace and stability.
A confident, open, and proactive China will provide new opportunities and new impetus for the world with its own new development. A China with a global vision and a sense of responsibility will bring new enlightenment and new hope to the cause of promoting peace, development, prosperity and progress for humanity.
The late President Mandela once said I quote, “Together, we can make great achievements”. In China, we also have an old saying, "Going solo is tough, but things are easier when people work together." We believe that stronger win-win cooperation between our two countries will surely produce greater synergy. Under the theme of "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism", we will deepen strategic partnership among BRICS countries, and help BRICS and Africa to achieve interlinked development, so that the "BRICS strength" will benefit more developing countries in Africa, and promote the building of a closer China-South Africa-Africa community with a shared future.
In conclusion, I wish today’s Seminar full success.
Thank you!