4. Military Exchanges

In May 1998, Major General Luobin, Head of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of National Defense of China, paid a visit to South Africa. In November, General Chi Haotian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, State councilor and Minister of National Defense, paid an official visit to South Africa. In the same month, Major General Fu Zhenguo of the General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), on behalf of Ci Haotian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and Fu Quanyou, the Chief of General Staff of the PLA, attended the 1998 Defense Exhibition of South Africa.

From June 3 to 9, 2000, at the invitation of Chi Haotian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, South African Minister of Defense P. Lekota paid an official visit to China. Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao met with Lekota. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee Chi held talks with Letota on bilateral relations, international situation, and military exchanges between the two countries. Lekota also brought his visit to Shanghai.

From August 9 to 13, 2000, Major General Huang Jiang, the Chief of General Staff of the South China Sea Fleet, PLA, led a navy fleet to visit South Africa for the first time. The fleet received a warn welcome from the local Chinese circles.

From September 4 to 11, 2000, Deputy Chief of the General Armament Department of the PLA, Chen Dazhi led a logistics delegation to participate in South African aviation and defense exhibition. During the visit, South African Minister of Defense Lekota, and General Niyanda, Commander of the South African Armed Forces, met with the delegation respectively.

In April 2000, China and South Africa also signed an agreement on police cooperation.

From August 19 to 25, 2001, at the invitation of the Ministry of National Defense, General Niyanda, commander of the South African Armed Forces visited China, and met with Chi Haotian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor, and Minister of National Defense. Fu Quanyou, member of the Central Military Commission of CPC Central Committee, and Chief of General Staff of the PLA, held talks with Niyanda.

From November 20 to 25, 2001, at the invitation of Commander Niyanda, General Fu Quanyou, member of the Central Military Commission of CPC Central Committee, Chief of General Staff of the PLA, visited South Africa, and met with President Mbeki.

From October 21 to 26, 2001, at invitation of the Headquarters of the General Staff of the PLA, Romano, Commander of the South African Army visited China, and met with Chi Haotian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, and Fu Quanyou, member of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and Chief of General Staff of the PLA Fu Quanyou. Deputy Chief of General Staff Guo Boxiong held talks with him.

From April 2 to 4, 2002, South African Vice Minister of Defense Ruteleshi and Major General Roshili were invited to attend the Symposium on International Disarmament co-sponsored by the United Nations (UN) Disarmament Program and the Disarmament Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

From June 18 to 22, 2002, General Cao Gangchuan, member of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and Director of the General Armament Department of the PLA led a PLA delegation to South Africa. South African Minister of Defense P. Lekota, Vice Minister Ruterosi met with delegation respectively. Lieutenant General Mazitama of the South African Allied Equipment Department held talks with General Cao.

From April 7 to 10, 2003, the first meeting of China-South African Defense Commission was convened in South Africa. Xiong Guangkai, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA and Mashilela, Secretary of South African Ministry of Defense attended the meeting. The two signed the Agreement on the Establishment of the Defense Commission between the Ministries of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa. Xiong also met with Commander of the South African Army Nyanda and Vice Minister of Defense Ruteleshi.

From May 5 to 9, 2003, at the invitation of General Niyanda, Commander of the South African Army, General Xiong Guankai, member of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, Chief of General Staff of the PLA, led a military delegation to officially visit South Africa. Xiong held talks with General Niyanda and met with South African Vice President Zuma and Minister of Defense Lekota.

5. Important Agreements and Documents

On December 30, 1997, China and South Africa signed "the Joint Communiqu¨¦ between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of South Africa on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations". In April 2000, China and South Africa signed "the Pretoria Declaration on the Establishment of the Partnership Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa". In December 2001, China and South Africa signed "the Exchange of Notes on the Establishment of Bi-National Commission between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of South Africa".

(Source: fmprc.gov.cn)

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