Deputy Speaker, the hon Njikelana is correct to affirm the significance and importance of the congress of the Communist Party of China, and also the significance of the fact that we as a country, and also as a majority party, have very close bilateral relations with that country and that party. [Interjections.]
China has emerged over the last 20 or more years as the most formidable economy in the world, a dynamic force for developing countries. [Interjections.] The fact that we have strong bilateral relations is important, not just because we have seen a quantitative expansion of trade and investment relations with China, but also because it gives us an opportunity to shape a pattern of relations among developing countries that is highly significant. [Interjections.]
I hope that the hon members who are baying and shouting over there will recognise the significance of this when South Africa hosts the first Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brics, summit to be held on the African continent in March next year, and when they see that concrete and important steps have been taken, for example, towards the establishment of a Brics-led development bank which can become a significant source of development, not only within the Brics countries, but also in other developing countries. That is the kind of influence, that is the kind of relationship, that we are building with the most important economy in the developing world. Thank you very much. [Applause.]