Vice Governor Wan Qingliang met with visiting South African Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Ms. Lulama Xingwana at Garden Hotel on April 11, 2008.

    Wan extended his welcome the visiting guests on behalf of provincial government, speaking highly of the good bilateral relations since the establishment of Sino-South African diplomatic ties one decade ago.

    Wan expressed his congratulations to the South Africa Week staged in Guangdong organized by South African Embassy in China, saying its great variety and multiform events are a good platform for local people to have a better idea about South Africa.

    Wan made a briefing regarding Guangdong’s social and economic development, saying the priority for Guangdong is to continue to put forward the reform and opening-up, implement the Scientific Outlook on Development, and speed up the building of a resource-conserving and environmentally-friendly harmonious society.

    Wan extended his best wishes for the great success of the South Africa Week, adding he expects the realistic mutual cooperation would be further enhanced through the ongoing visit.

    Xingwana extended her appreciation for the great support of Chinese government and Chinese people to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, saying South Africa highly treasures the traditional bilateral friendship.

    South Africa Week showcases the excellence of its cuisine, wine, fashion and jewelry to Guangdong people, which is aimed to increase the recognition of South African products for local people, Xingwana said.

    South Africa and Guangdong have much in common in agriculture and tourism, Xingwana noted.

    South African has adopted a new policy last year to ensure the direct shipment of South African fruits to Guangdong without the stopover in Shanghai, Xingwana said.

    I wish both sides could further expand mutual cooperation in relevant fields and people-to-people and technology exchanges, Xingwana said, adding South Africa is in support of the Beijing Olympic Games.

    She also extended her best wishes to Chinese football team for the qualification of the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup.

    Chen Fulin, Deputy Director General of Provincial Department of Agriculture, Liang Guixuan, Deputy Director General of Provincial Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Li Jian, GDFAO Deputy Director General, Zhao Shaoming, Deputy Director General of Provincial Sports Administration, and Zhao Jianhua, Vice Inspector of Provincial Development and Reform Commission, attended the meeting.