SA and China sign co-operation agreement on media

The Minister in The Presidency, Dr Essop Pahad and Vice Minister Wang Guoqing, responsible for the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China, have signed a 'Letter of Intent on Friendly Co-operation and Exchanges' between the two states. The State Council Information Office (SCIO) of the People's Republic of China recently toured South Africa.

The visit is a sequel to a number of high profile meetings and visits to both countries by high profile delegations, as well as the visit by a Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) delegation to China.

During the visit the SA delegation interacted with a cross-section of government and major media groups. The meetings included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Council of Information Office, China Radio International, China Daily, Xinhua News Agency, and the Wenhui Xinmin United Press Group.

Accordingly, during the Government visit to China, a number of commitments were made:

-- The promotion of exchange programmes between GCIS and the SCIO to enhance the quality of bilateral relations. It is envisioned that the exchange programmes would enable government communicators and journalists from both countries to share experience and skills and ensure cross-pollination of ideas on matters of mutual interest.
-- The facilitation of exchange programmes between South African and Chinese journalists to enhance an understanding of each other's information needs.
-- Explore possibilities for interaction between the public broadcaster (SABC) and the Chinese Radio International (CRI), to promote mutual understanding of the two countries.
-- Possible collaboration between BuaNews, South African government news agency and Xinhua News Agency in terms of content exchange on issues of common interest as well as exchange and capacity building programmes.
-- Need for South Africa to share the experience of the International Marketing Council while benefiting from others' own international marketing campaigns.

GCIS has discussed with the public broadcaster, the SABC, the issue of engaging substantively with the Chinese Radio International (CRI).

With regard to the exchange programmes between South African and Chinese journalists, GCIS has engaged the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF). Such an exchange programme would enable journalists from both countries to share experience, skills and ensure cross-pollination of ideas. SANEF has welcomed the suggestion and indicated that they are willing to work with Chinese journalists to ensure that the proposals are taken forward. It has been agreed, as a start, that SANEF could undertake a fact-finding trip to China to get an overview of China and identify areas for possible collaboration.

In the area of international marketing, the CEO of the International Marketing Council met with the delegation with a view to facilitating sharing of experiences to learn from one another's efforts to promote our countries.

The Chinese delegation also visited the Western Cape and met with a number of institutions including SA's International Marketing Council, the South African National Editors' Forum, Blue IQ and ICASA.