Independent welcomes Focac delegates

Published Dec 1, 2015

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Cape Town - Independent Media warmly welcomes the president of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and his delegation to South Africa, as well as all the African heads of state who are here to participate in the second Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (Focac).

“This is an historic event as it is the first time the summit has been held on African soil, and it represents an important platform for high-level dialogue and co-operation. The summit will not only deepen and upgrade Africa-China relations, but will synergise China-Africa development strategies,” said Independent Media’s executive chairman, Dr Iqbal Survé.

Since the establishment of Focac 15 years ago, the trade volume between China and Africa has jumped from $10 billion to $220 billion. As Africans we look forward to expanding our co-operation with China in line with “Africa’s Agenda 2063 - The Africa We Want” priorities, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, infrastructure, industrialisation, public health, education, green energy, agriculture and human resource development.

Independent Media’s Group Foreign Editor Shannon Ebrahim said: “The commitment of the People’s Republic of China to Africa’s development imperatives are a game-changer on the continent, as with its assistance Africa will be able to leverage the necessary skills, finance and technology to define its destiny.”

A number of events are taking place in Johannesburg leading up to the summit, which starts on December 4 at the Sandton Convention Centre. One such event was a round-table meeting, jointly hosted by Independent Media and China Public Diplomacy Association.

Speakers at the round-table included:

* Zhang Ming, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, China

* Nomaindia Mfeketo, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, South Africa;

* Dr Iqbal Survé, Executive Chairman of Independent Media;

* Zhong Jianhua, Special Representative on African Affairs, Government of China;

* Gong Jianzhong, Vice-President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, and

* Dr Yutong Liu, Secretary General of the China Public Diplomacy Association.

Top academics on China-Africa relations from China, South Africa and the African continent, as well as African and Chinese journalists, also attended the round-table discussions.

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