Chinese ambassador spells out the blunt truths about investment in South Africa

[ɹǝuuᴉM]

China’s ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian, is a master of the back-handed compliment.
Reportedly connected to the highest echelons of his government, he manages to convey tough messages to Pretoria, wrapped in layers of praise.
At a seminar at the Chinese embassy in April, for instance, he said that he “always speaks highly of South Africa.
Because why? Because 20 years ago South Africa was much better than China. And 10 years ago when I passed through here on the way to Malawi (to become ambassador) you were then a little better than China, in terms of infrastructure, market mechanism; the judicial system and so on.” And then he added, as if as an afterthought; “But in the past 10 years we go so far ahead.”

More at:

ISS TODAY: Chinese ambassador spells out the blunt truths about investment in South Africa

China’s ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian, has made it clear: if South Africa hopes to attract the further Chinese investment it needs to resuscitate its stagnant economy and it has to renovate its infrastructure, including revitalising the governance of state-owned enterprises.

www.dailymaverick.co.za

 

[ɹǝuuᴉM]

Very few if any, political world figures dare criticize the (black) South African government. But China is China and are not afraid to call things out.

 

[ForceFate]

Very few if any, political world figures dare criticize the (black) South African government. But China is China and are not afraid to call things out.

Example #1.

He's just reiterating sentiment held by industry heavyweights.
Read this...

CEOs: SA’s years from meaningful economic recovery

It may take over five years - FirstRand CEO.

www.moneyweb.co.za

 

[3WA]

you were then a little better than China, in terms of infrastructure, market mechanism; the judicial system and so on

I agree with him in terms of infrastructure and market mechanism.

 

[Acid0]

well duh Ambassador 15 - 20 years ago there was still money to be used for infrastructure.... now there is only enough money to steal and that is also running out.

 

[ɹǝuuᴉM]

well duh Ambassador 15 - 20 years ago there was still money to be used for infrastructure.... now there is only enough money to steal and that is also running out.

Not yet. The comrades have one final store to loot. Up to now the South African national pension fund has managed to escape mostly untouched. But things will have to change. Take away the pension money. The old can not toy-toy as the young do. And there are thousands of billions of Rands waiting... And when that is finished, pay all the policemen only half their monthly salaries.

 

[Okty]

South africa was ahead from China in the year 2000? I find this hard to believe, anyone can share some light on this?

 

[Milano]

Example #1.

He's just reiterating sentiment held by industry heavyweights.
Read this...

CEOs: SA’s years from meaningful economic recovery

It may take over five years - FirstRand CEO.

www.moneyweb.co.za

What a bizarre response

 

[ForceFate]

What a bizarre response

Bizarre response to a bizarre post. I'm surprised you missed that.

 

[Mystic Twilight]

This ambassador shouldn't come here with his western eastern imperial tendencies, the bladdy agent.

 

[Milano]

Bizarre response to a bizarre post. I'm surprised you missed that.

The statements are entirely newsworthy by virtue of him being the Chinese ambassador. Do you believe he has zero credibility? Perhaps a CIA agent?

 

[Tokolotshe]

South africa was ahead from China in the year 2000? I find this hard to believe, anyone can share some light on this?

Well, once upon a time, a long long time ago in South Africa, things ...

Oops! I nearly stepped into it.

 

[rambo919]

South africa was ahead from China in the year 2000? I find this hard to believe, anyone can share some light on this?

What makes it so hard to believe? The communists entrenched China in the dark ages and only really in the 80's started to recover and it's a MUCH larger area to improve.

 

[Vrotappel]

It does not matter from where a truth comes there will be those Africans denouncing it.

 

[Gordon_R]

South africa was ahead from China in the year 2000? I find this hard to believe, anyone can share some light on this?

Per-capita: GDP, coal exports, electricity production, banking sector, etc.

Edit: Remember that the Chinese economy has been growing around 6-10% per annum, so it has doubled every 6-10 years, and is now 5-10 times larger than it was 20 years ago. South Africa's economy grew less than 2% pa during the Zuma years...

 

[ForceFate]

The statements are entirely newsworthy by virtue of him being the Chinese ambassador. Do you believe he has zero credibility? Perhaps a CIA agent?

Perhaps you should read the post I responded to first?

Edit: I don't think you do. Let me be a good sport and point out my post augments a post I made in another thread, in response to his post.

 

[Mystic Twilight]

Per-capita: GDP, coal exports, electricity production, banking sector, etc.

Edit: Remember that the Chinese economy has been growing around 6-10% per annum, so it has doubled every 6-10 years, and is now 5-10 times larger than it was 20 years ago. South Africa's economy grew less than 2% pa during the Zuma years...

Based on that graph, South Africa is a total embarrassment of a country.

 

[Milano]

Perhaps you should read the post I responded to first?

None of those are political world figures. He said nothing different to what was said in the article. You remain obsessed with settling personal scores. Did you even bother reading the article before tasting blood.

Article says: That’s not an original observation but it’s rare, probably unique, to hear it so publicly stated by a foreign diplomat.

 

[Knyro]

Based on that graph, South Africa is a total embarrassment of a country.

Not really, the overall shape of the SA curve is similar to the others. China has just been killing it.

Not that we shouldn't strive to do much better of course.

 

[Milano]

Edit: I don't think you do. Let me be a good sport and point out my post augments a post I made in another thread, in response to his post.

Seriously? So your personal vendetta from some other thread means we should read your post and link so that you can settle some personal score? Are you 5 yrs old? And this somehow makes your response less bizarre? Or in some way acceptable normal behaviour?

Don't be a tit.