China-SA initiative grounded in multilateralism

SOUTH Africa and its ally China hope to use the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernisation in Africa launched at the G20 Summit at the week for cooperation grounded in justice, equity, openness, people-first development and diversity.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

The launch took place during the final day of the G20 Summit on Sunday at the Nasrec Expo Centre. China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miao Deyu, said the initiative followed Premier Li Qiang’s announcement on Saturday during Session One of the G20 Joint Summit.

He said the initiative also reinforces support for multilateralism at a time when “a law of the jungle” - where the strong dominate the weak - still shapes global realities.

It calls for equal dialogue among civilisations and stronger African representation in international affairs. Li had said that China and South Africa would jointly launch an initiative supporting the evolution of the G20 - “another indelible imprint left by Africa during the evolution of the G20,” Miao said.

He said that this followed the adoption of the Initiative on Supporting Industrialisation in Africa, agreed during the G20 Hangzhou Summit in 2016.

“Achieving modernisation is a shared dream of all developing countries” Miao said.

“As the largest developing country, China, in line with its own national conditions, has successfully explored a path of Chinese modernisation.”