(Foreign Exchange, January 2008)

The year 2008 signals 10 years ofties between China and South Africa. It is also an important year for China with the staging of the Olympics and establishment of a closer relationship with India. China's ambassador to South Africa Zhong Jianhua explained the significance of these events to our parliamentary correspondent Piet Marais

Piet Marais: South Africa and the People's Republic of China are celebrating 10 years of formal relationships. Can you give an overview of what you consider as the highlights of these relationships and what it holds for the future?

Ambassador Zhong Jianhua:: This year marks the 10th anniversary of China-South Africa diplomatic ties. Over the past 10 years, bilateral relations have witnessed a rapid, all-round development and the two countries have established a strategic partnership with fruitful cooperation in bilateral and international affairs. China-South Africa relationship has become one of the most important and dynamic bilateral relations between China and African countries as well as major developing nations. In 2007, the bilateral trade volume reached US$14.04 billion, 6.5 times of that volume 10 years ago.

China and South Africa share broad common interest and hold identical or similar views on many key issues. China attaches great importance to ties with South Africa and is ready to take the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the diplomatic ties to strengthen bilateral exchanges, build political trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to push China-South Africa ties to a new level.

During his recent visit to South Africa, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with President Mbeki and Foreign Minister Zuma. Both sides agreed to continue maintaining high-level visits, build up mutual understanding and friendship through various forms of celebrations on the 10th anniversary of diplomatic ties and establish a strategic dialogue mechanism between the two Foreign Ministries to keep closer communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs. The two sides also pledged to enhance cooperation on agriculture, economy, trade, science and technology, education and human resources and jointly promote China-Africa cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Piet Marais: Can you explain the increasingly important role the PRC is playing in the African continent?

Ambassador Zhong Jianhua: China now has diplomatic ties with 49 African countries. We are good friends, good partners and good brothers. Enhancing solidarity and cooperation with African countries has always been an important component of China's foreign policy.

Proceeding from the fundamental interests of both the peoples, China will unswervingly carry forward the tradition of China-Africa friendship and foster a new type of strategic partnership.

Politically, China and Africa should be strategic partners that trust and support each other.

Economically, China and Africa should be cooperative partners and should draw on each other's strength for mutual benefit.

Culturally, China and Africa should be partners in advancing human civilization and building a harmonious world. This is the part and parcel of China's approach to Africa.

Piet Marais: The year 2008 is an important one for the PRC considering the staging of the Beijing Olympics. Can you explain the importance of the event?

Ambassador Zhong Jianhua: One World, One Dream. To host Olympics has been a dream of the Chinese nation and the Chinese people in the past century. We will try our best to make the Beijing Olympic Games successful so as to promote the Olympic spirits. We wish FIFA World Cup 2010 here in this beautiful rainbow nation a great success and are willing to enhance China-South Africa cooperation on hosting large sports event.

Piet Marais: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently paid a visit to the PRC. Seeing as these are the world's two biggest developing countries, the reinforcement of their confidence to further develop ties and promoting their relations to a higher level are o