S. African policymakers speak highly of gains at home, opportunities abroad

South African policymakers have recognized the success of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in addressing the challenges facing China and the rest of the world while laying out opportunities.

Anil Sooklal, ambassador-at-large for Asia and BRICS in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said that China under the leadership of the CPC met all the targets that had been set, according to the report presented to the congress by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

"The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China demonstrated China's commitment to multilateralism," he said. "General Secretary Xi spoke strongly about reinforcing, rejuvenating and strengthening multilateralism.

"He spoke about ensuring that we create a free, fair and inclusive world trade regime and also reinforce and strengthen multilateralism as a trading system through the World Trade Organization. I think China's commitment to multilateralism both in terms of global geopolitical security and trade architecture is good news for the Global South and Africa. The congress was not only about China, it was also about shared prosperity for the rest of the world into the future."

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu congratulated the CPC for the success of the congress and the election of new leaders. She said South Africa shares China's aspiration for a modern socialist society in all respects. Zulu said that China under the CPC continues to inspire the world to do better to improve people's lives.

"We are inspired by the Party's growing commitment to relentlessly improve the well-being of the people and meet their aspirations for a better life in the quest to achieve high-quality development," she said.

"It is for this reason that the country is its people, and the people are the country. Similar to the Communist Party of China, the African National Congress-led government is attending to the challenges for us to do everything within our capacity to resolve the people's most practical, direct and greatest felt needs."

Zulu said that like the CPC with its people-centered approach, the ANC puts the people first.

Chen Xiaodong, China's ambassador to South Africa, said China is willing to work with other countries through platforms like the Belt and Road Initiative, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the BRICS grouping, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. In doing so, a better world can be built, Chen said.

He said China is ready to work with South Africa to reduce poverty, improve governance, build capacity and revitalize the economy.

"The success of the 20th CPC National Congress provides broad space for China and South Africa to strengthen exchanges of experience and connect development strategies. China is ready for more high-level visits, interparty exchanges and institutionalized exchanges with South Africa," the ambassador said.

Improving lives

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the minister for women, youth and persons with disabilities, hailed China for improving the lives of women and children, with gains continuing to be made over the past five years.

"According to the global index provider MSCI, last year, women accounted for 13.8 percent of board directors at Chinese firms, up from 8.5 percent in 2016. In addition, around 55 percent of Chinese tech startups are female-founded," she said.

Nkoana-Mashabane welcomed Xi's words at the congress on the development of a fundamental national policy on gender equality to protect the rights and interests of women and children.

Paul Mashatile, the ANC's treasurer-general, said the party had been watching the congress closely to learn some lessons ahead of the ANC's national congress in December. He said China continues to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with the developing world. Mashatile said China has made a lot of progress in economic growth and eradicating absolute poverty.

"We are inspired by this achievement, and we will continue to draw lessons from it, as we respond to our own unique developmental challenges," Mashatile said. "Over the years, the Communist Party of China has occupied special pride of place as a progressive force for good, a defender of global peace and development as well as a proponent of the preservation of a fair, just, and more humane world order. It has also acted to safeguard the common interests of the developing world."

The author is a freelance journalist for China Daily.

NDUMISO MLILO in Johannesburg, South Africa