Amb. Langa: 15th anniv. marks milestone of China, S. Africa[Exclusive Video]

Welcome to TV program of People's Daily online. South Africa is a distant country for most of the Chinese people, important but also mysterious. We know about it, maybe because of Nelson Mandela, the man who spent his lifetime fighting against apartheid, and is respected as Father of the Nation.

We know about it, maybe because of the happiness it brought to us in the 2010 World Cup. We know about it, maybe because of the strength it showed us in the 2011 Durban World Climate Change Summit.

As one of the emerging economies and member of the BRICS countries, people say that South Africa is a more and more important factor in the world stage.But how does South Africa think of itself? The year 2013 will witness the 15th anniversary of China and South Africa establishing foreign relations. How does South African side think of the bilateral relations in the past 15 years?

Recently, we are pleased to be joined by Dr.Langa, ambassador of South Africa to China to discuss about the previous questions.

PD Online: Your Excellency Dr. Langa thank you for accepting our interview.
As for bilateral relations, every five or ten years, we tend to sum up the past and forecast the future. The year 2013 is the 15th anniversary of South Africa and China establishing foreign relations. So how do you evaluate the bilateral achievements during the past 15 years?

Dr.Langa: Ni hao. I'm Bheki Langa. I am the South African ambassador to China.
The 15th anniversary of South Africa and China diplomatic relation is a very important milestone, which is a good opportunity to evaluate what has been achieved in this relationship and also to look at ways to strengthen and enrich this relationship.

Therefore, it is a very important milestone and we certainly intend to celebrate this throughout this year in 2013. In terms of achievements, China and South Africa signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in 2010 during the state visit by President Jacob Zuma to China.

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement laid a foundation to the deepening of the relationship between our two countries. Therefore, we look forward to celebrating this event. South African embassy in Beijing is also looking forward to that and is organizing a number of activities to celebrate this anniversary. China embassy in South Africa is also going to celebrate it with a number of activities.

PD Online:As you have mentioned celebrating activities, would you please tell us in detail. What activities will be held in South Africa this year to celebrate the 15th anniversary?

Dr.Langa: Well, I know that in the Embassy of PRC in South Africa has been working closely with the Department of International Relation Cooperation on celebration of this event. I know that a lot of activities include public lectures, seminars and cultural performances. Certainly these activities initiated in cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong will be marking throughout this year. We are planning symposiums, seminars and public lectures and working together with Chinese academic institutions, universities to celebrate this event.