05 September 2003
Ealier today, the President of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC)received the SACP delegation currently visiting China on a 7-day visit.
This historic meeting was the first meeting at the most senior levels of both parties to take place since the election of Comrade Hu Jintao as CPC General Secretary and President of the People's Republic of China, and the election of a new CPC leadership by the 16th Congress, held in October 2002.
Both parties used the meeting to share perspectives on the current global situation. President Jintao reaffirmed the PRC's committment to international peace and multi-lateralism. "The PRC is opposed to unilateralism and will work to reinforce international dialogue", said President Jintao. The meeting agreed that it is only undfer conditions of peace that both the PRC and South Africa can grow and develop. President Hu Jintao also emphasised the importance of Sino-African relations in the present period into the future.
"This historic meeting has strengthend our Party to Party ties and contributes significantly to strengthening the relationship between our people, countries and government. We hope it will contribute to increased economic and other co-operation", said Blade Nzimande, SACP General Secretary.
The two parties also agreed to continue with sharing perspectives on socialism, socialist theory and strategies in the era of globalisation.
The SACP delegation which met with President Hu Jintao is as follows:
The SACP delegation will continue with its visit to study economic growth and development in the PRC and will conduct bilateral discussions with the C PC to develop concrete SACP-CPC programmes.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel - 011 339 3621, Fax - 011 339 4244/6880,Cell - 072 275 4723
Email - mazibuko@sacp.org.za