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Minister Dlamini Zuma to hold discussions with South African heads of mission
22 April 2008
Beijing: South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will today Tuesday, 22 April 2008, continue discussions with South Africa's Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in Asia and the Middle East on the second of a two-day annual workshop scheduled from Monday, 21 April 2008 to Tuesday, 22 April 2008.
Minister Dlamini Zuma and Deputy Minister Pahad will discuss with South Africa's envoys regional, continental and international political and socio-economic developments with a view to considering the impact thereof on South Africa’s foreign policy priorities within the region.
South African Heads of Mission will also be addressed by Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa on South Africa's economic diplomacy priorities and objectives later in the day.
Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Mandisi Mpahlwa as well as Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad, supported by other senior officials from South Africa, are in Beijing, People's Republic of China within the context of the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.
Minister Dlamini Zuma and Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad began their official visit to Beijing, scheduled from Saturday, 19 April 2008 to Saturday, 26 April 2008, by holding bilateral political, economic and trade discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Monday, 21 April 2008.
Discussions between Ministers Yang and the South African government delegation included the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries; the status of China-Africa relations; developments within Africa, including peacekeeping, conflict resolution and a brief on socio-economic conditions; developments within Asia; and other issues of mutual interest.
Minister Dlamini Zuma and Deputy Minister Pahad will on Wednesday, 23 April 2008, pay a courtesy call on Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will furthermore address the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on "South Africa's Vision for the 21st Century", on Wednesday, 23 April 2008, and together with Deputy Minister Pahad as well as senior departmental officials officially open the new South African Consulate-General in Shanghai led by our Consul-General Vika Khumalo on Friday, 25 April 2008.
South Africa will also be participating in the Shangai Expo.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 April 2008