South Africa is very welcoming to Chinese visitors. I think a lot of Chinese people got to know more South Africa through the World Cup. South Africa successfully managed the World Cup in 2010 and since then an important number of successful international events has been organized there, which shows the capacity of the country to take care of visitors. We have not had serious incidents involving Chinese people in S. Africa which show that our people are willing to help and welcome Chinese visitors.
PD Online: People’s Daily Online has set up a branch in South Africa. As you mentioned in an interview, South Africa does not want to be merely a natural resources supplier, but it hopes this advantage could also benefit other areas. The more China responds to this appeal, the more acceptable China will be. What do you think about China’s conducts in responding to that appeal?
Dr.Langa: It is true that at the moment the trade profile between China and S. Africa is not very optimistic. At the moment South Africa is exporting mostly raw materials commodities to China. We are glad to see more evaluated products being exported from South Africa to China. South Africa is importing a lot of finished products. We would like to find balance in the relationship.
Both sides of us are engaged in this issue, as part of the agreement, included in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement document. A number of steps have been taken by both sides to reach the result. South Africa has invited and is inviting Chinese investors to take advantage of those opportunities in processing and evaluating our rich diversity of resources. We optimistically believe that we are going to achieve our goal of improving the trade
PD Online: This year on March, the 5th Brics summit will be held in South Africa. What influences do you think will have this summit to improve the trade scale and structure among the five countries? And what measures will Brics countries jointly take to resist the trade protectionism? And the expectations of South Africa?
Dr.Langa: The Brics summit will be held in South Africa this march. It’s quite a significant summit in this cycle and we are pleased to be hosting it in S. Africa. The theme of the summit is: Brics and Africa partnerships, integration, development and industrialization. You can see that this topic indicates the desire of the S. Africa wants to become the bridge between all Brics partners to development issues and coordination in the Africa continent.
The Africa continent is the second fastest growing region after Asia. Africa is a very important part in the world economic development. South Africa is one of the fastest growing economies, which is important for regional development. We greatly highlight the importance of South Africa in the Africa continent. We believe that South Africa has a very important role to play because of its connection, because of its ability to achieve results in Africa continent.
Also since last year Pr. Zuma visited China and participated in the forum for China and Africa cooperation, South Africa has become a co-chair of this important forum. We will be co-chaired with China in 2018. It is very important for the development of Africa continent.
In this great summit we will organize a special session for arrangements between the Brics leaders and key leaders of regional economy communities. 8 regional economy communities on Africa continent will be present at the summit. The special session is the key of the summit.
PD Online: What do you think of the performance of media when we report on each other? Do you have some ideas or suggestions for the media cooperation between us?
Dr.Langa: Media is very important. We’ve got in touch with many important media in China. In my opinion, media plays a very important role in connecting our people. Media helps promote culture of our country. I give a lot of importance to the media. We certainly are hoping the media will promote people-to-people relation between our two countries.
PD Online: China’s most important festival- the Spring Festival is coming. Would you please say some words to Chinese netizens through People’s Daily online?
Dr.Langa: I am glad to take this opportunity to wish Chinese people a happy new year and bring happiness and prosperity to Chinese people.
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