To a large extent, therefore, the visit has opened up awareness of [a relationship] that is mutually beneficial. Obviously for any relationship to be sustained you need to go beyond the political and government level. For a stronger relationship you need cultural connections and people-to-people relations. Personal relations and strong economic relations always become the pillars of relationships with any country and I think we are seeing the growth of that, especially because of the high profile political relationship we have today

How is South Africa addressing the trade imbalance (a deficit of over $3 billion dollars in 2005 according to South Africa Revenue Department figures) that exists with China?

We think that one of the best ways to address this is to diversify our export basket. To do this we need to find ways to add value to the raw materials we are selling to China. How do we do this? Is it not possible for instance that rather than selling ore to China, we first process it and then sell it as value- added products? That, we believe, will help with the diversification of exports to China, because as it is we are still exporting mostly commodities, like mineral resources in the main, and also food products. Agreements have been signed in terms of citrus, grapes and the like, and we want to expand the export of commodities and food products in this way. I must hasten to add that if we look at our economy in South Africa we have more imports than exports [in general], and we are looking at how to turn this around as it creates pressure on our economy.

What initiatives are taking place to encourage Chinese tourism to South Africa?

On April 28, China's Eastern Airlines will launch an inaugural flight between Shanghai and Johannesburg and we all agree that this in many ways will have a significant increase in the number of tourists going to our country. These numbers have been steadily increasing since China granted South Africa Approved Destination Status. More activities are taking place by South African Tourism in China and Chinese travel agents are now also actively promoting South Africa as a destination. I don't want to exaggerate and say the figures of Chinese tourists are the same as Chinese going to Thailand, for example, but the numbers are increasing.

One of the reasons for the small numbers in the past is the fact that there were no direct flights and it was inconvenient. If you make it convenient for people to travel, the chances of them wanting to visit your country increase.

Next year is the 10th anniversary of our relations with China and my dream is to [celebrate this with] a program similar to that of the Year of Russia. It is something we are discussing from our side. Once we are clear what we want to do, we will approach the Chinese Government about our ideas.

What impact do you think the World Cup will have on South Africa?

Well, the biggest opportunity that comes from events like the World Cup or Olympic Games is that the host country gets an opportunity to market itself. As a country with unlimited possibilities, this will bring more economic opportunities and people [around the world] will get to know us better. These are the main benefits.

What level of cooperation does South Africa have with China, other than government-based ties?

There are South African universities looking for partnerships with Chinese institutions and this is one area we are encouraging [from both sides]. We also have a number of Chinese research institutes wanting to link up with South African research institutes and we want to help facilitate this. On an NGO level we have had cooperation for some time. We are keen to speed up the process of getting our civil society engaged in more relationships with our Chinese counterparts.

What is the situation regarding a free trade agreement with China. Is it fact or myth?

There is an intention to begin to negotiate a free trade area between the South African Customs Union (SACU) and China. [However] SACU is [currently] engaged, as part of the South African Development Economic Corridor (SADEC), in negotiations with the European Union.

These negotiations have been taking place for quite a while now and most of our human resources are focused on completion of these negotiations. There are negotiations that are still outstanding from the SACU side with other countries.

In the one year you have been in China as Ambassador, what impression has it made on you?

This is my visit time to be in Asia and I find myself learning about the Asian people, the culture and the way of doing things here. I also find myself in a country that is developing so rapidly. Everyone around the world is intrigued by this Chinese miracle. I don't think there is anyone who is interested in world affairs would say to me that they don't want to be in China. For me to be here and observe this development at close quarters is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.