Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa responds to arrests of South Africans in China

Beijing - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today Wednesday 15 July responded to media questions regarding the arrests of a number of South Africans and other nationals in the Peoples Republic of China.  In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa said ‘’Yes we have known that there are a number of South Africans as well as people from other nations who were arrested.  The matter is being addressed at our Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) level.

“They are dealing with the matter. We are hoping that there will be a solution as time goes on. So that matter is being handled. We think it is best to leave it at that level because the Chinese officials as well as our Department of International Relations are dealing with the matter, actively on an hour by hour basis, yes it is being addressed’’ concluded Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Deputy President Ramaphosa was speaking during a media briefing in Beijing on Wednesday 15 July following the conclusion of the first part of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China in effort to understand how state-owned enterprises can be utilised to promote economic growth while addressing challenges of poverty and unemployment.  In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa has interacted with a number of Chinese State-owned enterprises with a view of learning how South Africa could utilise the Chinese model in its own re-industrialisation process.

Accordingly, Deputy President Ramaphosa will on Thursday 16 July visit the coastal city of Qingdao in the second part of his official visit to the People’s Republic of China. The city of Qingdao has over 50 percent of the Peoples Republic of China’s ocean-related research institute. It is one of China’s five largest foreign trade ports, a home to a large petro-chemical industry which hosts many international companies.

During his visit to Qingdao, Deputy President Ramaphosa will meet the management of large Chinese companies, Haier and Hisense.  Hisense is a multinational white goods and electronics manufacturer which recently expanded its existing operations in South Africa by establishing a manufacturing centre in Atlantis, Western Cape. Of the products manufactured in South Africa, approximately 40% are sold locally and the rest exported to other African countries. Hisense indicated that it intends to establish a Research and Development centre in South Africa the near future.

Haier Group on the other hand is a leading global networked home appliance and furnishing supplier. Currently, Haier has a sales office in South Africa. There are plans to set up a  sale, Research and Development Centre and a manufacturing operation aimed at producing products for both the South African in particular and the African markets in general.

While in Qingdao Deputy President Ramaphosa will also visit the China Rail Company. The China Rail Company is, home to China’s high speed train factory. The company is engaged in the design and manufacture of high-end trains, as well as subway vehicles and light railway vehicles.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria