On Saturday, 6 June 2020, the Inclusive Society Institute of South Africa (ISI) and The Houde Institute of China entered into a cooperation agreement. The agreement enjoins the two parties to undertake joint research, and to hold academic symposia, seminars and conferences training programmes for future diplomats, scholars and future leaders of international organisations and NGOs.
The signing ceremony took place via videoconferencing. The ISI was represented by its Acting Chairperson, Prof Zweli Ndevu and its CEO, Daryl Swanepoel. The Houde Institute was represented by its President, Ms Wang Hongjuan, Liu Yu, Deputy Secretary of The Houde Institute, as well as board members Fu Chengyu, and Ambassador Su Ge.
A number of other senior delegates from both sides also attended the ceremony to witness the signing of the agreement, including, amongst others, Dr Miao Ji, Senior Research Fellow of the Houde Institute and Wei Dongze, Secretary General of the South Africa China Economic & trade Association.
A number of potential areas for research cooperation were identified, including in the field of renewable energy policy, trade coordination and international cooperation in BRICS, the BRI and FOCAC.
The two organisations are planning to meet face-to-face once the COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted. At that meeting joint projects and themes will be designed and launched. In the interim the two parties will initiate projects on an ad hoc basis.
