THE LETTER FROM THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THEREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE'SREPUBLIC OF CHINA
THE LETTER FROM THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THEREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE'SREPUBLIC OF CHINA
(30 December 1997)
Whole document
H. E. Mr Ji Peiding
Assistant Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China
Pretoria, 30 December 1997
Your Excellency
I have the honour of acknowledging receipt of your letter dated 30
December 1997, and would like to confirm our agreement to the contents of
the above-mentioned letter, which reads as follows:
"I have the honour to refer to the temporary arrangements for the
overflight of the territorial airspace of China by South African airlines
for regular air service as specified in the Exchange of Notes between the
Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the
Republic of South Africa dated June 9, 1997. In view of the fact that
China and South Africa will establish diplomatic relations as from January
1, 1998 and that it takes some time for the two countries to negotiate and
sign a civil aviation agreement, to facilitate the continued regular
commercial flights by South African airlines pending the signing of the
proposed civil aviation agreement between the two countries, I have the
honour to confirm the following on behalf of the Government of the
People's Republic of China:
The Chinese Government agrees to the continued overflight of the
territorial airspace of China by South African airlines for regular air
service on the Johannesburg - Osaka route from 1 January 1998 to 30 June
1998. Details about this matter shall be worked out by the aviation
authorities of the two countries. In the meantime the competent
departments of the two governments shall enter into talks on this issue
with a view to signing a civil aviation agreement between them.
Thereafter, this issue shall be handled according to the relevant
provisions in the civil aviation agreement of the two governments.
If Your Excellency confirms the above contents in a Note of reply on
behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Africa, this Note and
your reply Note shall form an agreement between our two governments and
shall enter into force as of the date of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the two countries."
Your understanding and constructive efforts for a solution to this
important issue are very much appreciated.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest
consideration.
Aziz Pahad
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of South Africa
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