Question NW1994 to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

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17 October 2016 - NW1994

Profile picture: Bagraim, Mr M

Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

(1) (a) Who signed the ICT Plan of Action between South Africa and China in Cape Town in June 2015 and (b) why were he and the Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Miao Wei, not the signatories of the specified agreement; (2) what (a) actions have been implemented in terms of the agreement and (b) is each of the specified action’s current status? NW2305E

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

(1) (a) The ICT Plan of Action (POA) between South Africa and China was signed in Cape on 08 June 2015 by the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services from South Africa, Dr Siyabonga Cwele and the Minister of Industry and Information Technology from China, Mr Miao Wei.

(b) See 1(a) above.

(2)(a)(b) The POA involves nine (9) areas of collaboration and some progress has been made in the following areas:

RSA-China PoA Implementation Plan since signing in 2015 (Q1994)

 

Status

 

Broadband Infraco (BBI), a state owned entity, has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China Telecom to boost investment in telecommunications.

In April 2016, Mustek Limited Group (South African Company) signed a multimillion Rand investment Agreement with the Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable (Chinese Company).

 

In light of the fact that South Africa recently launched a Cyber Security hub, South Africa and China are sharing information and experiences in the area of Cyber Security. As part of ongoing implementation of the POA, the Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Prof. Mkhize hosted the Vice Minister of Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), Ms Wang Xiujun. The two Principals hosted an Internet Roundtable from 13-14 May 2016 in Durban. The Internet Roundtable was attended by ICT Industry and SMME’s from both countries. The meeting was used as a platform to discuss and share expertise in different areas such as Internet Information Infrastructure, e-commerce, electronic manufacturing, Cyber security, e-government & smart cities. Discussions on securing the online activities to ensure that technology provides secure platforms for e-identity are ongoing. China is also advanced in the area of e-identity and has developed legislation in this regard.

 

The Digital Object Architecture (DOA) – recently approved by Cabinet for domestic implementation. Department currently engaged in bilateral discussions with the government of China since they are one of BRICS member countries that have implemented the DOA successfully.

 

The South African Government is collaborating with China Telecommunications and Huawei in capacity building and e-skills development programmes. Currently:

  • China Telecom is training 17 officials through seminars nominated from state owned companies.
  • Flowing from the POA, the DTPS and Huawei signed a Cooperation Agreement which focuses on three (3) areas including capacity building and training. The Cooperation Agreement includes the need for a joint Innovation Centre between DTPS and Huawei wherein training of SMMEs and students can be conducted.
  • Ten (10) best performing IT students chosen from South African Universities of Technology (Central University of Technology, Free State; Cape Peninsula University of Technology; Tshwane University of Technology; and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) have been selected to undergo a skills development programme at the Huawei HQ in China, for two weeks in October and November.
 

See above in relation to technology transfer (Joint Innovation Hub).

 

An Official Working Visit focusing on e-government was undertaken to China in April 2016.

Furthermore, e-government was discussed during the Bilateral Meeting between the Vice Minister of Cyberspace Administration of China and the Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services in April 2016.

 

Well developed and small MME’s participated during RSA-China Internet Roundtable held from 13-14 April 2016.

Big cooperates have been requested to incubate the small SMMEs for developmental purposes.

 

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