China, South Africa agree on five key areas of cooperation

China and South Africa agreed here on Tuesday to enhance cooperation in five key areas including politics, economy and trade as well as people-to-people exchanges.

The agreement was reached at the sixth plenary session of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission, which was jointly presided over by Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The five areas were determined in line with the important consensuses reached between the heads of state of the two countries, the China-South Africa 5-10 Year Framework on Cooperation, as well as the outcome of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Johannesburg, said a statement issued after the meeting.

Firstly, China and South Africa agreed to strengthen political mutual trust by maintaining the sound momentum of high-level exchanges and continuing to support and coordinate with each other on issues regarding core interests and major concerns for both countries, said the statement.

Secondly, the two countries agreed to deepen pragmatic cooperation in areas including infrastructure construction, the development of special economic zones and industrial parks, equipment manufacturing, industrial production, marine economy, energy and resources development, finance, investment and trade facilitation, among others, the statement said.

Both countries will make concerted efforts to achieve tangible progress in mutually-agreed major projects for win-win cooperation, it added.

Thirdly, China and South Africa will enrich and expand people-to-people exchanges by launching the China-South Africa High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism at an early date, and strengthening communication and cooperation in such areas as human resources development, education, tourism, media and youth, according to the statement

Fourthly, the two countries agreed to enhance coordination and collaboration on international and regional affairs by maintaining close communication on major issues including global economic and financial governance, climate change, cyber security, anti-terrorism and countering transnational organized crimes, as well as human rights, the statement said.

Last but not least, both countries agreed to fully leverage their role as co-chairs of the FOCAC and push forward the comprehensive and effective implementation of the outcome of the FOCAC Johannesburg summit held in December 2015.

The statement said that the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership is enjoying a strong growth momentum and has entered the best period in history.

"There is a solid foundation and broad prospects for bilateral cooperation. China and South Africa should further strengthen the alignment of development strategies and take concrete steps to promote cooperation in key areas so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples," the statement said.

Since its establishment in 2000, the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission has played an active role in facilitating bilateral cooperation in important areas. Endi