Question NW1608 to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
17 June 2016 - NW1608
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(a) What was on the agenda of the inter-governmental discussions between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China held in Durban on 14 May 2016, (b) what programme of action and/or collaboration was adopted between the specified governments and (c) what is the timeframe for the implementation of the programmes?
Reply:
I have been advised by the Department as follows:-
(a) The following items were on the agenda of the of the inter-governmental discussions between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China held in Durban on 14 May2016
- E-Government & Smart City
- Internet Information Infrastructure
- E-Commerce & Electronic Manufacturing
- Cyber Security
(b) The two Parties agreed on the following:
- The need for regular exchange between the two countries,
- The promotion of collaboration, investment within the sector
- Building on the partnership cooperation which was entered into by the China Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable and the South African Joint Stock Limited Group, Mustek Limited Group.
- Proposal that the Internet Roundtable should take place annually.
- Proposal that the South Africa ICT sector be invited to the World Internet Conference, which China hosts on annual basis.
- Agreement on the need for officials of the two countries to strengthen cooperation, and build programmes which can be incorporated into multilateral forums such as the G20 and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
(c) The Plan of Action (2015) is a five year plan commencing in 2015 to 2020.