CHEN XIAODONG
PRESIDENT Xi Jinping observed that jobs are the most fundamental livelihood projects. Jobs are key to social stability.
COVID-19 brought a major impact on the world economy, as well as South Africa’s economy. The unemployment rate here remains high.
President Cyril Ramaphosa attaches great importance to jobs. He always makes job creation a priority of the government. The South African President also actively launched an employment stimulus plan.
As a good brother, friend and partner of South Africa, when we work with South Africa against COVID, we also actively support your economic recovery.
At the same time, Chinese enterprises in South Africa are working hard to give stability to the production and supply chains.
Last month, over a hundred Chinese enterprises participated in the 4th South Africa Investment Conference and they secured a good amount of investment deals.
President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa had a phone conversation last month and reached important agreements on bilateral cooperation.
The Job Fair is a concrete initiative and effort to implement those agreements.
This event aims to achieve win-win results. It creates jobs for South Africans.
It also provides an opportunity for Chinese enterprises to hire local talents and pursue localized development.
Today, over 100 Chinese-invested enterprises pledge to provide 20,000 jobs directly for South Africans in the next three years.
Their businesses cover infrastructure, communications, mining, automobile, agriculture and many other areas.
For example, Huawei will provide 450 jobs and Pengxin will provide 3,500 jobs in the next three years.
Chinese enterprises here actively fulfill their social responsibilities, follow local laws and regulations and support South Africa’s socioeconomic development.
They together write wonderful chapters of China-South Africa win-win cooperation and common development.
Even though China and South Africa are far away from each other physically, our traditional friendship has been strong for a long time.
Under the personal guidance of our Presidents, China-South Africa relations have made leaps forward to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Our Comrades plus Brothers special friendship continues to develop in profound ways.
China-South Africa friendship brought tangible benefits to both peoples. China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years.
Even against COVID, our trade reached over 54 billion US dollars last year, up by over 50 percent. South Africa’s exports to China reached over 33 billion US dollars, up by nearly 60 percent.
South Africa is also one of the largest investment destinations for Chinese companies in Africa. By the end of 2021, China’s investment in South Africa totaled over 25 billion US dollars, which created over 400,000 local jobs.
China is committed to a new development pattern at home and to high-quality development with a high level of opening up.
China’s efforts on this front will bring more opportunities for all countries including South Africa.
China has been the main driver for world growth. Last year, China’s GDP reached 17.7 trillion US dollars, up by 8.1 percent, which ranks top among all major economies.
With more than 1.4 billion people and over 400 million people in the middle-income group, China is a huge market that imports about 2.5 trillion US dollars worth of goods each year.
Last year, the fourth China International Import Expo achieved over 70 billion US dollars in intended turnover. The China-Africa Economic and Trade Fair last year achieved 23 billion US dollars in signed contracts.
People from all countries are very much welcome to get on board the bullet train of China’s development.
South Africa is a dazzling country. You have beautiful scenery, rich resources, diverse cultures and great potential for development.
As the only African member of BRICS and G20, South Africa boasts great geographic locations, complete infrastructure and outstanding comprehensive strength.
South Africa actively works to deliver the AfcFTA and you have become an important bridge connecting Africa with the world.
China is ready to work with South Africa to connect our development strategies and give full play to each other’s advantages.
We are ready to seek mutual benefit and work for greater quality, broader fields and higher levels in our cooperation.
China has become an important export market for South Africa’s beef, citrus, wine, oysters, Rooibos tea and many other products.
With the signing of relevant agreements, the market share of South Africa’s quality fresh fruits in China will be further expanded.
In the next three years, China will import 100 billion US dollars worth of goods from South Africa. We welcome South Africa’s active participation in the CIIE and China-Africa Economic and Trade Fair.
We will continue to encourage strong Chinese enterprises to invest in South Africa for achieving President Ramaphosa’s investment proposals.
Second, carry out cooperation on major projects.
The two sides will implement our Ten-Year Strategic Cooperation Program, which has just been signed.
We will also work to deliver the nine programs announced at last year’s FOCAC meeting, and deepen all cooperation under BRICS.
China is actively working on feasibility studies of the small harbour project. We support Chinese enterprises to take part in the Mzimvubu river project and to provide financing support.
We will also continue to connect with South Africa on major projects such as the Joburg-Durban high-speed rail.
Third, expand cooperation in emerging areas.
Both China and South Africa are in a period of economic transformation. We know that South Africa has also incorporated digital economy into your development strategy.
Our two countries can focus on cooperation in 5G, digital economy, high-tech, e-commerce, smart cities, clean energy, vaccine production and other new areas.
Fourth, increase cooperation in employment training.
China is ready to speed up the building of vocational training center projects.
We are ready to provide employment assistance programs for college graduates and other special groups.
We will also encourage Chinese enterprises to cultivate more competent professionals through the transfer of technology and skills training for local employees.
Fifth, expand people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.
South Africa has more sister province and city relationships with Chinese localities than any other African country.
South Africa has the biggest number of Chinese students in all of Africa. You also attracted the biggest number of Chinese tourists among all sub-Saharan countries.
It is believed that our cooperation in tourism, education, culture and local exchanges will see a good rebound post-COVID. This will give a boost to many businesses in South Africa.
More importantly, cooperation in those areas will also create more jobs for locals either directly or indirectly.
China-South Africa cooperation has had a very fruitful past and we are fully confident that we will enjoy an even brighter future.
The sound development of our relations will definitely bring more benefits to both countries and peoples.
I believe that through the Job Fair, many of our young South African brothers and sisters will find good jobs here and that this will be a boost to your new lives.
Likewise, many Chinese enterprises will find ideal employees and get new drivers for further development.
China-South Africa cooperation overall will also benefit more people and usher in brand new chapters of development.
Last but not least, I would like to say “Come to Job Fair, Future will start here”. Let us join hands and move forward toward a bright future together!
- CHEN XIAODONG is the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa. This is an edited version of his speech at the launch of the Job Fair 2022 of Chinese-invested Enterprises in South Africa.
