I was appalled to read the report published by City Press on
Sunday, January 31 titled Cosatu Slams China For Importing Labour.
This report tried to criticise the Chinese Consulate-General in
Cape Town for hiring construction workers from China instead of local workers
for building its new premises.
As one of the press officers of the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria, I
respect freedom of speech but I am appalled by the ignorance exhibited in the
report of how a diplomatic mission operates.
As it is known, most diplomatic missions choose to employ workers
from their own countries for the construction of their premises in the host
nations.
This is because such premises are the symbols of sovereignty and
the national image of the sending states.
Besides security concerns, missions have special requirements for
architectural design, construction techniques and materials for the construction
of their premises.
According to international practice, the receiving states should
provide the necessary facilitation of the acquisition, construction and
renovation of the premises of the missions under the principle of reciprocity.
South Africa is a member of the United Nations and has a strategic
relationship with China.
The facilitation extended by the South African government to the
Chinese Embassy and consulates in South Africa for the construction of their
premises, in accordance with international practice, embodies the friendly
relations between the two countries.
It is also an international obligation that the South African
government should fulfil.
It has nothing to do with “cheap labour”.
Therefore, the report, with its accusations of China, shows a lack
of knowledge of diplomatic practices.
It is our sincere hope that in future, City Press will do more
background checking to verify their facts before publishing reports that might
mislead the public.
I earnestly hope that this letter is published In the latest
edition of City Press.
Xiaomei Zhou
Press Officer
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pretoria