An envoy's encounters with the great man

Former chinese ambassador tells of Mandela's warmth

One of the most precious photos for the first special representative of Chinese government to African affairs Liu Guijin, was of him with the former South African president Nelson Mandela that hangs prominently in his home.

"South Africa regards him as its spiritual leader, and the world considers him as a great warrior for freedom and equality, Liu says.

"But when you met him in person he was a really humble and honest man."

From 2001 to 2007, Liu served as China's ambassador to South Africa, giving him many opportunities to meet Mandela, who died on Dec 5 aged 95.

Liu says that when he first met Mandela, in 1999, he was a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was also Mandela's second, and last, trip to China.

In most high-level meetings, government officials usually greet only their counterparts before their conversation begin, Liu says.

"But at that meeting between Mandela and the then premier Li Peng, the African president smiled and shook hands, using both hands, with all the people in the room, even those who sat in rows at the back of the room or in the corners. Everyone in that meeting was touched."

In that meeting, Mandela said China's Long March and the Chinese people, who fought to liberate their country, had been a great encouragement to the South African people in their fight against apartheid, Liu says.

"A few years later when I visited him in South Africa, he told me that when he was in prison he and his fellow inmates used to celebrate China's National Day on Oct 1. They secretly painted Chinese flags on their hands to encourage each other to fight and succeed like the Chinese people."

After two years as president of South Africa, Mandela announced in 1996 that Pretoria would establish diplomatic ties with Beijing in 1998.

"Despite some hesitation caused by pressure from parliament, Mandela finally resolved to establish ties with the Chinese mainland," Liu says. "He made incredible contributions to China-South Africa ties, stuck to the one-China policy and cared about bilateral relations on all fronts."

Liu, quoting Mandela, says the late South African president was a man of peace and a moral model for the world: "'As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.'"

Mandela spent 27 years in jail, but "smiled to the world when he was released", Liu says. "He told others to forgive their oppressors and to move on. His forgiveness united the country, which was once divided by racial and fratricidal hatred."

Mandela dedicated his life to the freedom of his country and the equality of his people, and in a world in which many conflicts lead to warfare, Mandela's spirit has much to teach us, Liu says.

In October 2002, about five months before a US-led coalition invaded Iraq, Mandela had voiced his opposition to such plans and had said he was willing to go to the country to act as a human shield, Liu says.

After war broke out, Mandela sent messages to Liu, then Chinese ambassador in South Africa, requesting a phone conversation with then president Jiang Zemin.

"It is not very common to have direct phone calls between a former head of state and a current leader. But once I reported to Beijing, our leader readily accepted Mandela's request."

Liu says that to prepare for the call, he went to Mandela's home and when he arrived, Mandela was having lunch. He stopped eating and walked the Chinese ambassador to his living room.

"He said we were his distinguished guests," Liu says.

In the phone call, Mandela told Jiang he hoped China could stand with South Africa to curb hostilities in Iraq. After the call, Liu says, Mandela told him the reason he wanted to talk to Jiang was because of China's significance in his life. Mandela saw China as the symbol of revolution and independence, Liu says.

"Two words that most easily come to mind relating to Mandela are justice and forgiveness."

His role in the struggle against apartheid, his fight for freedom and equality, the enormous sacrifices he made for his country, and lifelong advocacy for reconciliation and world peace are all his legacy to the world, Liu says.

The Chinese versions of Mandela's biographies Long Walk to Freedom and Conversation with Myself are the first and second bestsellers among political biographies at Amazon China.

"Young Chinese people really should read those two books," Liu says. "The best way to commemorate Mandela the great leader is to follow his great spirit and develop Sino-South African relations."

Before Liu left Mandela's home after the phone call, he says he asked if he could have a photo taken with his host. Despite physical frailties brought on by years in prison, Mandela obliged.

"He happily walked me to the front door for a photo that portrays a great moment of my life."

zhaoyanrong@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 12/13/2013 page7)