ATC171209: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Study Tour to China, 02 – 09 December 2017

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS ON STUDY TOUR TO CHINA, 02 – 09 DECEMBER 2017
 

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

From 02 December to 09 December 2017, the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative

Governance and Traditional Affairs undertook a study tour to the People’s Republic of China

(PRC). This followed an invitation from the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of the National

People’s Congress (NPC), which had visited the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa

and the Portfolio Committee in August 2017. The NPC is the highest organ of state power in

China, and has the right to amend the Constitution, enact laws and decide on major issues

concerning the country – a role similar to that of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa.

The Portfolio Committee’s visit was a follow up on the key themes emerging from the meeting

of the Committee and the Commission, particularly those concerning poverty alleviation and

economic development in the context of cooperative government and traditional affairs.

 

The Committee delegation to China consisted of six members: Hon. Richard Mdakane

(Chairperson); Hon. Enoch Mthethwa (ANC); Hon. Joyce Maluleke (ANC); Hon. Xolani Ngwezi

(IFP); Hon. Kevin Mileham (DA); and Hon. David Matsepe (DA). Ms. Shereen Cassiem

(Committee Secretary) and Mr. Andile Sokomani (Committee Researcher) supported the

delegation. Mr. Lebohang Tekane (Parliamentary Liaison Officer for the Department of

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) was also present.

 

Hosting the delegation for the duration of the trip in China were,

 

• Mr. Li Jingtian - member of the Standing Committee of the NCP as well as the
• Chairperson of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the NPC.
• Mr. Wu Shimin - member of the Standing Committee of the NPC as well as Vice-
• Chairman of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the NPC.
• Mr. Su Xiaoyun - member of the Standing Committee of the NPC as well as member
• of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of the NPC.

• Mr. Hao Guicheng - Director of the Administrative Office of the State Ethnic Affairs
• Commission of the NPC.
• Ms. Zhang Jie - sub-inspector of the Administrative Office of the State Ethnic Affairs
• Commission of the NPC.
• Liu Li - official of the Administrative Office of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of
• the NPC.
• Mr. Duan Baorui - official of the Research Office of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of the NPC.
• Mr. Zhang Bo (Mr. Xiaoyun’s secretary) and Mr. Liu Wanli (interpreter).

 

2. MONDAY 04 DECEMBER 2017: BEIJING

The Committee’s most substantive engagements and high-level meetings took place in

Beijing, the political and administrative capital of China.

 

2.1. Morning: Meeting with LGOP Officials

The first meeting of the Portfolio Committee was with officials from the State Leading Group

Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development of China (LGOP) at their headquarters in

Beijing. The LGOP is responsible for coordinating surveys and research projects; drafting

guidelines, policies and plans for economic development in poor areas; coordinating solutions

for key issues in poverty-alleviation development; supervising poverty-alleviation work; and

organising exchanges of experience. Representing the LGOP delegation were Mr Chen

Zhigang (LGOP Vice-Minister); Mr Zhang Liang (Deputy Director-General of the Office of

LGOP); Mr Zuo Changsheng (Director-General of the International Poverty Centre in China),

Mr Zhao Dongwen and Mr Wang Kai (Programme Officers of the LGOP).

 

2.1.1. Remarks by Vice-Minister Chen Zhigang

 

In his opening remarks, Vice-Minister Chen Zhigang extended a warm welcome to the South

African delegation, stressing South Africa and China’s common mission of improving the

livelihoods of their peoples, and emphasizing that China also has much to learn from South

Africa’s experience with poverty alleviation. The Vice-Minister noted that since 1979, when

China began reforms that prioritised poverty alleviation, the poverty rate has decreased to

below four percent. This translated to lifting approximately 700 million people out of poverty –

contributing to about 70% of global poverty alleviation. The Vice-Minister attributed this

success to China’s experimental and incremental approach to reform, which he described as

‘socialism with Chinese characteristics.’ The Vice-Minister was confident that, with this

approach, China would achieve its goal of eliminating extreme poverty in all its counties by

2020. This would be ten years ahead of the United Nations goal of eliminating global poverty

by 2030.

 

Guiding China’s poverty alleviation efforts - the Vice-Minister noted - was the ideal of building

a moderately prosperous society, which is the substance of the political report of the 18th

National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) held in 2012. This includes

achieving, by the centenary of the CPC in 2021, an average per capita monthly income of

RMB 4000 (approximately R8000 rand), free health care for the indigent and subsidized health

care for 85% of each provincial population, promoting industries, leveraging the household

impact of quality training administered to at least one individual in every household, and

infrastructure development.

 

The Vice-Minister reiterated the extreme importance to which the Communist Party of China

and its various levels of leadership, attached to poverty alleviation work. During its 19th

Congress, which concluded just before the Portfolio Committee’s visit, the Party resolved to

give focused attention to every poverty-stricken household. The Party will continue to stress

reform and innovation, such as investment in solar energy and the introduction of a scheme

where corporate councils rent farmland on poor farmers’ behalf. It will also encourage

everyone to embrace the central government’s poverty alleviation vision, and to take

responsibility for their own development.

 

There were 13 policy documents guiding the poverty work in China, and local governments

have developed over 200 implementation plans based on these documents. The resources

mobilised in this regard amounted to RMB 270 billion over the last five years, with contributions

from provinces, prefectures and local governments. Banks also provided interest-free loans.

More than 34 000 companies, including public enterprises, have also assisted more than

30 000 villages towards poverty alleviation. There is a database of all the poverty-stricken

areas in China and government has sent millions of officials to visit these places. The largest

of these is the Tibet region, which, together with similar regions, has been a particular focus

of the central government.

 

The Vice-Minister noted that the government of China would continue to ensure that there are consequences for officials, at all levels of government, who fail to meet its poverty alleviation

targets – including dismissals and demotions. Central government would continue to

supervise local government and apply appropriate sanctions where performance fails to meet

expected standards. Supervision involves use of objective criteria such as hiring experts to

assess and evaluate a county’s performance in reducing poverty.

 

With this approach, China has lifted more 130 million people out of poverty annually since

2013. During this period, incomes in poverty-stricken areas have risen considerably.

Infrastructure construction has afforded more than 58% of rural households access to potable

water, and 98% have access to telephones. However, there were still 335 million poverty-stricken people. As an economic growth rate of below ten percent (6.8 percent at the time of

writing) has become the new norm in China, President Xi Jinping has placed emphasis on

promoting agriculture as a key poverty alleviation strategy in China’s rural areas. The Vice-

Minister then gave the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Hon. Richard Mdakane, an

opportunity to make some input.

 

2.1.2. Remarks by Hon. Richard Mdakane

 

Hon. Mdakane contextualised the study tour visit in terms of the many areas of cooperation

that currently exist between China and South Africa through the Five-to-Ten Year Strategic

Programme for Cooperation signed between the two countries in 2014. He then congratulated

the country for the successful 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China. Hon. Mdakane

expressed appreciation for the effort the Chinese government put at implementing its policies,

contrasting this against South Africa’s poor record of implementing its generally well considered ideas. He noted that almost half of South Africa’s population lives in poverty and

that at the micro (family) level, the country seemingly had little impact on poverty alleviation.

Hon. Mdakane revisited the concept of self-development and asked the Vice-Minister to

elaborate further on how to encourage people to take responsibility for their own development,

including starting their own businesses. He also allowed an opportunity for Portfolio Committee

members to pose questions. Hon. Kevin Mileham observed that a multi-party democracy,

unlike China’s governance model, has inherent constraints in respect of the range of measures

at a government’s disposal to ensure strict compliance with its dictates. He asked the Vice-

Minister if he had any suggestion on how to transplant the Communist Party’s ability to enforce

compliance with its poverty alleviation agenda into a multi-party democracy context.

In reply to these questions, the Vice-Minister reiterated the importance of self-development –

stressing that it is easy for people to regress to poverty if they rely solely on government

assistance. In this regard, the Chinese government strives to ensure that at least one person

from every household is trained and equipped to be self-reliant. Farming is one example where

government offers training and then assists the emerging farmers to find a market for their

produce. In response to the question of tackling poverty in a multi-party democratic context,

the Vice-Minister pointed out that China was a multi-party democracy, with eight other parties

besides the ruling Communist Party. In this way, the Communist Party was also obliged to

consult and cooperate with the other parties in all its decision-making processes.

At this point, the Vice-Minister adjourned the meeting, as the Committee’s schedule did not

allow time for further engagement.

 

2.2. Noon: Meeting with Officials of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission

 

From the LGOP offices, the delegation shuttled to the headquarters of the State Ethnic Affairs

Commission (SEAC) of the National People’s Congress of China to meet with the

Commission’s officials. Some of the Committee members and Commission officials

recognised each other from the meeting of 29 August 2017 in Cape Town. (Please refer to the

Report’s introduction for the Commission officials’ names and designations). The

Commission’s Chairperson provided an overview of the SEAC, including its functions and

composition. The Chinese government established the Commission in 1949 (the founding

year of the People’s Republic of China) with a mandate to take charge of China’s ethnic affairs

and champion the interests of China’s 56 ethnic minority groups. The State Council assigns

all the Commission’s responsibilities in respect of ethnic minorities. China’s ethnic policy rests

on four pillars:

• Treating all ethnic groups equally, regardless of history, population size or level of

development. This entails non-discrimination and respect for all ethnic groups, their

costumes, languages and ways of living.

• Fostering solidarity among the Han (the majority ethnic group) and the minority ethnic

groups, as well as solidarity among the 56 ethnic minority groups.

• Encouraging regional ethnic autonomy and balancing this autonomy against the ideals

of co-existence and solidarity, and

• Creating prosperity for all ethnic groups.

 

The Chairperson then afforded Hon. Mdakane an opportunity to provide a brief introduction

into the South African government’s ethnic policies. In his overview of the ethnic situation in

South Africa, Hon. Mdakane highlighted the country’s diversity in terms of the official and

‘unofficial’ languages spoken, as well as government’s policy initiatives in respect of Khoi and

San minorities. He also cited the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa whose founding

principles of human dignity, non-racialism, non-sexism, and the rule of law guaranteed the

protection of ethnic minority rights. Hon. Mdakane observed that at 23 years of democracy,

South Africa was a relatively new nation compared to China’s 70 years of existence as a united

nation – and that South Africa’s greatest challenge was poverty.

 

The Commission’s Chairperson concluded the meeting by stressing the importance of

strengthening relations and exchanges between China and South Africa. He noted that

although there are many formal agreements between the two countries at various levels, the

State Ethnic Affairs Commission had no formal agreements with any public institution in South Africa. The Commission therefore had no formal channel to contribute to the friendship and prosperity of the two nations.

 

2.3. Afternoon: Courtesy meeting with the Vice-Chairman of the Ethnic Affairs

Commission

In his brief welcoming remarks to the delegation, the Vice-Chairman of the Ethnic Affairs

Commission, Mr Wu Shimin, recapped on the Commission delegation’s visit to South Africa,

and expressed his high regard for the concept of the ‘rainbow nation.’ He noted China and

South Africa’s remarkable achievement in terms of high-level exchanges and bilateral ties in

the context of the G20 and the BRICS, as well as the cooperation agreements flowing from

the 2013 Summit held in Johannesburg. Mr Shimin also noted that December 5, 2017 would

mark the 20th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. In

conclusion, Mr Shimin stressed that the Commission attached much importance to legislative

cooperation and that the study tour visit marked an improvement in this area. He then wished

the delegation a successful visit to China.

 

2.3.1. Remarks by Hon. Mdakane

 

Hon. Mdakane thanked the Vice-Chairman for the welcoming remarks and appreciated the

high regard for South Africa, which was a relatively small power compared to China. He once

again congratulated the Communist Party of China for its successful 19th Congress and noted

that he had listened to President Xi Jinping’s keynote address, and was studying the

Congress’ resolutions. Hon. Mdakane highlighted the resolution relating to taking

approximately 400 million people out of poverty by 2020 and was curious to learn how this will

materialise, as this would provide a critical lesson for the Portfolio Committee. He noted the

proven capacity of the Chinese government to implement its decisions, and was keen to learn

from China about effective programme implementation.

 

Mr Shimin reiterated that he was confident that China would eliminate poverty by 2020. He

expressed the hope that deepened cooperation between China and South Africa’s legislative

bodies would enhance the capacity of these bodies to make laws.

 

2.4. Late Afternoon: Meeting and Banquet with Mr Li Jingtian, Chairman of the

Ethnic Affairs Commission

 

Mr Jingtian began the meeting by reflecting on the experience of their six-member delegation

visit to South Africa, and expressed gratitude for their reception. He hoped that the Portfolio

Committee would experience the same warmth during its visit, and wished the Committee

delegation well.

On the Committee’s behalf, Hon. Mdakane welcomed Mr Jingtian’s sentiments. He noted that

the cooperation between the Chinese State and its private sector on poverty alleviation was

encouraging. Hon. Mdakane was keen to understand how China ensures that its local

governments implement the central government’s directives; how it governs large cities such

as Shangai in order to create wealth; and why it had achieved faster development.

 

Mr Jingtian replied that choosing the right leadership, and the right way to pursue

development, was the foundation of China’s development progress. The Communist Party of

China was the right leadership and ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics’ was the most

appropriate development framework for China. The CP was the right leadership because it

was the choice of the majority of people, dating back to the civil war against the western sponsored National Party of China. This war witnessed millions of people pledging the last

bowl of rice, the last of piece of fabric and the last child to the CP’s one million troops, which

was a tiny contingent compared to the National Party’s 80 million troops. The CP’s popular

legitimacy was instrumental to the defeat of the National Party, which is now the ruling party

of Taiwan. The will of the masses was the basis for the establishment of the People’s Republic

of China in 1949. Today, approximately 89 million Chinese people in China are members of

the CP.

Mr Jingtian then noted that China’s developmental trajectory in the last 70 years confirmed

that socialism with Chinese characteristics was the right development path for China. Having

had no prior experience of running a country, the Communist Party was at first compelled to

learn from the Soviet Union. The realisation that China could not fully transplant the Soviet

Union experience led the CP to explore China’s own path of development, a process that

began around 1956. This process involved experimentation with various strategies, including

a ten-year Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976. These not only failed, but also brought

the country disasters. Subsequently, Deng Xiaoping emerged to lead the CP to explore the

idea of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This culminated in the reforms that began in

1978, which have seen China emerging as the second largest economy in the world. The

outcomes of these reforms have proved that socialism with Chinese characteristics was the

correct path for China.

 

Mr Jingtian stressed that China did not encourage the exportation of its development model,

as it would not necessarily work for other developing countries who must embark on the

difficult task of poverty alleviation. However, he noted that it was important for central

governments to have the power and capacity to instruct other levels of government to

implement decisions. Fighting poverty in China has involved local governments mobilising

resources within their localities; contributions from local communities, the private sector and

other sectors of society; as well as rich areas and charity organisations subsiding and

supporting poorer areas. While this has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty since the 18th

Congress of the CPC in 2012, the Party still faces the difficult task of lifting approximately 400

million people out of poverty. Focusing on increasing financial support to the poverty-stricken

areas, and relocating those living in places that are not fit for human habitation, is now the top

priority of the CP.

 

3. TUESDAY 05 DECEMBER 2017: CULTURAL TOUR OF BEIJING

Besides being China’s political and legislative capital, Beijing is also the country’s cultural

centre, as it owns more cultural heritage items than any city in China. The delegation visited

two of Beijing and China’s iconic cultural heritage sites: the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.

 

3.1. Morning: Cultural tour of the Great Wall of China

The delegation visited a section of the Great Wall of China, approximately an hour’s drive from

Beijing. A masterpiece of military defence work whose construction began in the 7th century

B.C, the Wall meanders 21 000 kilometres across China’s kaleidoscopic landscape like a giant

dragon. A guide took the delegation through some characteristic features of the Wall, as the

team made its way up to some observation towers from inside the Wall. Ascending and

descending just a few meters of that section of the Wall was a test of physical endurance and

a lesson in hard work, discipline and mental fortitude - values that seemed to permeate the

Chinese national character.

 

3.2. Afternoon: Cultural tour of the Forbidden City

In the afternoon, the delegation embarked on a guided tour of the Forbidden City – an old but

well-preserved Grand Imperial Palace. This housed the emperors of China’s last two dynasties

(the Ming and the Qing dynasties who had 24 successive emperors in total) who ruled the

country for over 500 years. The emperors forbade access to outsiders, even high-ranking

officials, unless authorised – thus giving rise to the term ‘forbidden city.’ The delegation

explored the various courtyards, halls, chambers, towers, pavilions, and gardens of the

imperial palace complex, with the tour guide explaining the historical significance of these

structures and answering questions. This was a direct experience of the Forbidden City’s

lingering ancient grandeur.

 

4. WEDNESDAY 06 DECEMBER 2017: WUHAN, HUBEI PROVINCE

On Wednesday morning, the delegation boarded a high-speed train from Beijing to the City of

Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province in central China. This was a four-hour journey. In

Wuhan, the delegation visited the South Central University for Nationalities, which is under

the direct administration of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission.

For the Chinese government, the university represents a national model for ethnic unity and

progress, as it enrols students from all 56 ethnic groups in China, with ethnic minority students

making up 60% of the total. The university campus hosts an Ethnographic Museum, the first

of its kind in universities in China, which documents the history of Chinese ethnic groups. The

delegation went through a guided tour of the Museum and witnessed brilliant displays of

various cultural artefacts associated with different ethnicities.

The delegation also received a fascinating overview of the evolution of Wuhan from a sparse

ancient city into a bustling modern metropolis. The rendering of the city into a gigantic life-like

artificial model that could simulate day and night, was a mesmerising technological feat. The

delegation also marvelled at the exceptionally forward-looking vision guiding the city’s

planning.

 

In the evening, the delegation received a welcoming banquet from the leadership of the

People’s Congress of Hubei Province, who informed that the Province keeps a close

relationship with South Africa, both in terms of economic and education cooperation. Madam

Li, who led the Congress representatives, noted that the study tour visit would promote the

cooperation further and invited the delegation to visit more places in the province. The Hubei

Province was at the heart of China and accounted for approximately 6% of the Chinese

population. There were 800 000 minorities in the province or 4.5% of the Hubei Province

population, half of whom did not have fixed jobs. The Communist Party of China invested in

this Province more than any other province, with RMB12 billion pledged in the 12th Five Year

Plan on village roads and highways in every county. Through its ethnic policies, China was

able to lift 1 million people out poverty in the Hubei Province. Madam Li was also keen to know

about the South African experience in protecting the culture of ethnic groups.

 

5. THURSDAY 07 DECEMBER 2017: WUHAN, HUBEI PROVINCE AND GUANZHOU,

GUANGDONG PROVINCE

 

5.1. Cultural tour of the Yellow Crane Tower

On Thursday morning, the delegation visited the Yellow Crane Tower, which was a further

education on ancient Chinese history and culture. The Tower is dedicated to legends in

Chinese mythology who rode on yellow cranes. Warfare and fire have destroyed the original

Tower twelve times since AD 223, the original date of construction. The City Government of

Wuhan completed the current structure in 1985. A guide led the delegation through the various

floors of the Tower, from which the delegation enjoyed magnificent views of the city.

In the afternoon, the delegation departed Wuhan for the City of Guangzhou, the capital city of

the Guangdong province in southern China. This was another four-hour journey by high-speed

train. In Guanzhou, the climate had changed to summer, a testament to China’s vast land

mass. Mme Luo Juan, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of Peoples’ Congress of

Guangdong Province, welcomed the delegation into Guangdong Province. The Committee is,

among other things, responsible for supervising the work of the Provincial People’s

Government – an oversight function. Mme Luo Juan provided an overview of the Province in

terms of land mass, economy, social and political developments. She noted that KwaZulu-

Natal was among the foreign states and provinces, with which the Guangdong province has

forged a sister-relationship – effective from 29 August 2016.

 

6. FRIDAY 08 DECEMBER 2017: GUANGZHOU, GUANGDONG PROVINCE

On Friday morning, the delegation visited the Golden Flower Service Centre, which

exemplifies the Guangdong Province’s social assistance programmes, including services for

retired citizens, registration for the unemployed and small business start-ups, and the mobility

needs for the disabled. The Central Government funds the Centre, with assistance from Non-

Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The Centre management informed the delegation they

often invite local residents to supervise and assess the performance of Centre staff, giving

credit where it is due. The delegation also met the Local Committee of the Communist Party

as well as the Local Secretary of the Communist Party in Guangzhou. The delegation

concluded the visit to Guangzhou with a tour of the Guangzhou Tower – a 600-metre structure

that briefly held the title of the tallest tower in the world. The delegation flew back home at

midnight.

 

7. CONCLUSION

The Portfolio Committee left China with profound respect and high regard for the organisation

and administration of the country. The hospitality and administrative efficiency of the State

Ethnic Affairs Commission, the Portfolio Committee’s host for the duration of the trip in China,

were particularly outstanding. The Committee drew much inspiration from China’s poverty

alleviation drive, its transformation of 56 different ethnic groups into a socially cohesive

society, its pride and investment in its vast cultural heritage, and its forward-looking urban

planning. In the main, the Chinese experience has challenged the Portfolio Committee to find

solutions to South Africa’s development challenges internally, as opposed to importing foreign

development models.