The Chinese Consulate-General held a reception in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at Hilton Sandton Hotel on September 26th. Over 350 Chinese and foreign guests including Acting Consul General Qu Boxun, diplomatic officers in the Consulate-Generals, Free State ANC Chairman Sam Mashinini, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms Mbali Hlophe, Mayor of Parys Joey Mochela, other high rank officials from Gauteng and Free State, friends of all circles, Consul Generals of the United States, France and Malawi in Johannesburg, representatives of overseas Chinese and Chinese companies in South Africa, and teachers from Confucius Institute attended the reception. Deputy Consul General Guo Bin presided the reception.
The reception is unveiled by playing national anthems of China and South Africa. Acting Consul General Qu Boxun said in his address that in the past 70 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have united as one and engaged in a painstaking struggle to develop the country. China has made accomplishment unparalleled in human history and successfully explored the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Implementing the principles of innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development, China has become the world's second largest economy from the state of "poverty and blankness". More than 700 million people have lifted themselves out of poverty. China's economy grows steadily, and ranks the first among the world in terms of commodity trade, foreign exchange reserve, high-speed train and other infrastructure networks. However, China is still a developing country with a large population of 1.3 billion. We are committed to opening-up and win-win progress, and bringing benefits to more countries and people through the Belt and Road Initiative. Guided by President Xi Jinping's diploma thought, we will stick to the path of peaceful development and strive forward to build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for humanity.
Qu said this year also marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the new South Africa. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa 21 years ago, China has regarded South Africa as an valued friend and strategic partner, no matter on bilateral relations or multilateral relations such as BRICS, G20 and United Nations. President Xi Jinping visited South Africa three times during his four trips to the African continent in the past 7 years.. The two countries have developed extensive and close cooperation in politics, economy and trade, culture, science and technology. China has been the largest trade partner of South Africa for consecutive 10 years. South Africa is blessed with many advantages such as good infrastructure and abundant natural resources. More and more Chinese companies are investing in South Africa, looking for cooperation projects and opportunities, and bringing more economic development and employment opportunities to the local people. China is willing to continue to work closely with South Africa to consolidate and enhance bilateral friendly cooperative relations and bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.
On behalf of the Consulate-General, Qu also extended greetings to the fellow Chinese, people from Chinese-funded institutions and Confucius Institutes in the consular district, and highly appreciated and sincerely thanked them for their long-term concern and promotion of the development of bilateral friendly relations and cooperation, and for their role as bridge and ties deepening understanding and friendship between the two peoples. He said that the Consulate-General will resolutely implement the people-centered concept, earnestly practice the principle of diplomacy for the people, and continuously serve the vast number of overseas Chinese in order to help them have a better life and career in South Africa.
Free State ANC Chairman Sam Mashinini and Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms Mbali Hlophe delivered speeches respectively, congratulated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and praised China's tremendous achievements in the past 70 years. In particular, they pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese government and the people have always been South Africa's trusted loyal friends and partners no matter in South Africa's struggle against colonialism and apartheid, or in the current process of striving for economic liberation. China not only has the "people" in the full name of the "People's Republic of China", but also practices the "people-centered" development concept in practice. In a relatively short period of time, China succeeded in lifting more than 700 million people out of poverty, which is a model for South Africa and other developing countries around the world. President Mandela visited China in the early 1990s and once highly praised the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the friendship between China and South Africa. The cooperation between China and South Africa is mutually beneficial. At present, the Free State Province sends more than 200 students each year to China's higher education institutions to study telecommunications, agriculture, medicine, engineering, etc. They are expecting them to learn and apply them to South Africa's economic development. South Africa is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in bilateral and multilateral mechanisms such as the BRICS, promote friendly exchanges between the two provinces and the local governments of China, actively participate in the construction of the "Belt and Road", and help the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries to a new level.
The reception was a great success. Guests congratulated the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China and praised China's achievements and positive contribution to world peace and development. They also watched two TV videos "The Dreamcatcher: China 2019" and "Beautiful China", and enjoyed wonderful cultural programs such as martial arts, dance and cheongsam show performed by the artists from Johannesburg Huaxing Art Troupe and the Confucius Institute of Johannesburg University. Finally, the reception was livened up by all the attendees waving the national flags of China and South Africa and singing the song "My Heart of China".