Xinhua News Agency, Pretoria, South Africa, January 13 (Reporters Bai Ge and Hang Zebo) - To celebrate the opening of the "China-Africa People-to-People Exchange Year", the Chinese Embassy in South Africa held a celebration event in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, on the 12th.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. In his speech, Wu Peng, the Chinese ambassador to South Africa, said that over the past 70 years, China-Africa people-to-people exchanges have been vibrant and fruitful. As the world is experiencing profound changes unseen in a century, China and Africa need more than ever to uphold fairness and justice, strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance, and enhance exchanges and cooperation. This year, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa plans to hold nearly 20 events, hoping to take this opportunity to build a solid foundation for cooperation and accelerate the construction of an all-weather China-Africa community of shared destiny in the new era.

Lectick, Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities Affairs of South Africa, stated that the friendship between South Africa and China has a long history and the two countries maintain close cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, society, and technology. The friendship between the two countries has always been an important cornerstone for the development of South Africa-China relations and Africa-China relations, and the continuously deepening cultural exchanges will inject new vitality and vigor into this long-standing friendship.

Wayela, the Director-General of the South African Department of Tourism, said that China, as an important tourist source country for South Africa, has made positive contributions to local economic growth and job creation. South Africa is willing to continue deepening tourism cooperation with China, and by strengthening cultural exchanges and improving service quality, it aims to build a more solid platform for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

At the event, the Huaxing Art Troupe from Johannesburg, South Africa, and the Confucius Institute at the University of Johannesburg presented cultural performances such as Zulu dance from South Africa and Chinese martial arts. Nearly 100 people attended, including South African politicians like Martins, Secretary of International Relations of the South African Communist Party, as well as representatives from the media and cultural circles of South Africa and China.

Editor: Han Xiaoning

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