China at 77: Ambassador Wu Peng outlines vision for closer ties with South Africa - IOL

Ambassador Wu Peng speaks at the Global Development Initiative.

October 1 marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Over the past 77 years, China has weathered numerous challenges and reaped remarkable achievements. From the beginning of socialist revolution and development in 1949, through the launch of reform and opening-up and socialist modernisation in 1978, to the beginning of a new era for socialism with Chinese characteristics in 2012, China has forged ahead through decades of determined endeavour. Along the way, it has made achievements that have drawn worldwide attention and opened up promising prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

These achievements have been made possible by the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the collective efforts of the Chinese people. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. For 105 years, the Party has remained committed to its founding mission of pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. Under its leadership, China has achieved both rapid economic development and long-term social stability—two remarkable accomplishments in the country’s modern development. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics continues to demonstrate strong vitality and momentum.

In recent years, China has consolidated its position as the world’s second-largest economy, while achieving major advances in technological and industrial innovation and delivering substantial improvements in people’s living standards. Over the past year, China’s GDP surpassed the 140-trillion-yuan mark. The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress also came into full implementation, providing stronger legal protection for all 56 ethnic groups to benefit from the progress of Chinese modernisation. This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Looking ahead, China will advance along the path of Chinese modernisation and build sustained momentum for national development and rejuvenation.

The African philosophy of Ubuntu is often expressed as, “I am because we are.” China shares a similar conviction: its development and that of the wider world are mutually reinforcing, and China’s continued progress will contribute to greater global prosperity.

As a major trading partner of more than 160 countries, China remains committed to greater openness and to contributing stability and predictability to the global economy through high-quality development. On international and regional issues, China consistently stands for peace and dialogue, works to facilitate peace talks, and seeks solutions that address both immediate challenges and their underlying causes. In doing so, China continues to explore its own approaches to resolving international and regional hotspot issues.

President Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilisation Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, offering China’s ideas and approaches to tackling the common challenges facing humanity. The International Organisation for Mediation is now operational, and both the World Data Organisation and the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation have been established in China. These developments are helping translate China’s proposals into international practice and advance efforts to build a fairer and more equitable system of global governance.

Though thousands of miles apart, China and Africa have always enjoyed a close bond. We are good friends, good partners and good brothers with a shared future. On May 1 this year, China introduced zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including South Africa. By lowering trade barriers, China is helping expand bilateral trade, generate greater benefits for people’s livelihoods and create more opportunities for Africa through access to its vast market.

In recent years, the China-South Africa all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era has gained greater depth and substance under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa. Earlier this year, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile co-chaired the ninth plenary session of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission, reaching extensive agreement on ways to advance cooperation in key areas. Bilateral cooperation has continued to expand. China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, with its stock of direct investment in the country exceeding US$11.7 billion and bilateral trade surpassing US$53.5 billion. This month, the two countries also signed a phytosanitary protocol paving the way for fresh South African cherries to enter the Chinese market. A growing range of high-quality South African products is finding its way to Chinese consumers, while more Chinese companies are investing in South Africa, supporting local industries and creating employment opportunities.

As important members of the Global South, China and South Africa share broad common ground on major international issues and have long worked closely together in support of global peace and development. In July this year, South Africa joined the China-initiated World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation. The two countries are now working alongside the wider international community to promote the responsible and beneficial development of artificial intelligence and ensure that developing countries can have their share of the benefits. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of BRICS cooperation. With China and South Africa set to assume the BRICS chairship successively over the next two years, China looks forward to working together to deepen BRICS cooperation and bring fresh opportunities and confidence to the Global South.

Looking to the future, China is ready to seize the opportunities presented by the 15th Five-Year Plan and harness the zero-tariff policy as a new driver of cooperation. Together with South Africa, we hope to open a new chapter in building a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future and make an even greater contribution to peace, development and prosperity around the world.

* Wu Peng, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL.