World Countries and Customs Series - South Africa

Author: Ye Xingzeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: This series of books selects dozens of foreign-related experts, scholars, and professors from 15 renowned domestic and international institutions. They have devoted their efforts to research and writing, combining commonalities with individuality. The content is rich and innovative, making it practical and easy to read. It is truly commendable and has made a valuable contribution to the practical aspects of social sciences and economic and cultural exchanges between China and the world.
After the 1991 Gulf War in the Middle East, the global economic situation and political landscape underwent significant changes. Many countries adjusted their domestic and foreign policies, focusing on strength, particularly on the development of comprehensive national strength, in order to pursue a path of peace and prosperity. As Comrade Jiang Zemin pointed out in the report of the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China: "In today's world, culture, economy, and politics are intertwined, and their role and significance in the competition of comprehensive national strength are becoming increasingly prominent."
To develop comprehensive national strength and elevate the total economic output and living standards of the people to a new level, it is essential to adhere to the combination of "bringing in" and "going global." To comprehensively improve the level of opening up to the outside world and adapt to the new realities of economic globalization and joining the World Trade Organization, we are compelled to study and understand the comprehensive national conditions of countries around the world—a new discipline.
Under the current global situation, to meet the needs of various individuals, we are delighted to see that Comrade Sun Zhengda of the Southwest Jiaotong University Social Sciences Research Institute, with the strong support of some alumni from Southwest Jiaotong University and Peking University, as well as numerous foreign-related experts and scholars at home and abroad, has personally supervised the compilation of a series titled "National Conditions and Customs of Countries Around the World." This is indeed a timely and commendable cultural public welfare initiative.