He extended diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China (PRC), who were growing as an economic force, and initially also to Taiwan, who were already longstanding investors in the South African economy.
Estendeu o recoñecemento diplomático á República Popular da China, que estaba a converterse nunha forza económica mundial, e nun primeiro momento tamén a Taiwán, que xa levaba tempo realizando investimentos na economía surafricana.