This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. What do you think are the main reasons behind the sound and active diplomatic relations between the two countries, and what improvements would you like to see in this relationship?

2013 marks the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. It is an important milestone for the rapidly expanding relationship between the two countries. The 15th Anniversary offers us an opportunity to reflect on the evolution of South Africa-China relations and consider new ideas and initiatives to strengthen, enrich and deepen our future engagement.

And both countries are looking to the future. It's a future in which economic challenges abound. There's plenty of scope for mutual benefit beyond the resources trade. By 2020 China's middle class will number 670 million – a huge group of newly prosperous people keen to travel and study overseas. This is a great opportunity for South Africa, but also for the people of both countries, to build closer relationships and a better understanding of each other's place in the world. After all, it's not all about economics and trade. Cultural and people-to-people links will continue to be the foundation of the South Africa-China relationship.

South Africa hopes to build on the achievements of the past 15 years to set up a future of even closer cooperation and understanding between South Africa and China and their people.

Fast Facts:

How the South Africa-China Relationship Has Grown in 15 years

Trade:

-- Since 2008 economic and trade relations between our two countries has grown significantly and we are very encouraged to see this development. In 2011, the bilateral trade volume between South Africa and China has reached $45,430 billion, increasing 77.1 percent year on year. Recent years have seen a sustainable growth concerning bilateral economic and trade cooperation, both in volume and areas.

-- Furthermore, the bilateral investment relationship has also developed from a low base to approximately $7 billion in 2010. It is the endeavor of the South African Government to further boost the trade and investment relationship between the two countries through facilitation of more opportunities for cooperation. 

-- China overtook the United States as South Africa's biggest export destination in the first half of 2009. South African trade and industry department data also showed China replaced Germany as its largest country trade partner in October 2009.

Tourism:

China has become South Africa's fourth largest international source market, right ahead of France and the Netherlands, and it has also become the largest source market in Asia.

The number of Chinese tourists reached 96,747 from January to September 2012, 63.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2011.