Hon. Ms. Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, Premier of Free State,

Hon. Ms. Morakane Mosupyoe, Speaker of Gauteng Provincial Legislature,

Hon. MECs of Gauteng and Free State, Mayors and Speakers of Johannesburg and Ekuhuneni, Friends from political parties, business, academia, media and other sectors,

Dear colleagues of the Consular Corps,

Mr. Zhang Chaoyang, Chairman of South Africa-China Economic and Trade Association, CEOs and representatives of Chinese enterprises,

Mr. Li Xinzhu, Director of South Africa Chinese Community and Police Cooperation Center, Heads of local Chinese community and associations, Dear compatriots,

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

Good evening!

It gives me great pleasure to have you, both old and new friends, together with us in this lovely spring season to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you and express my heartfelt thanks to people from all walks of life who have been supporting China's development and committed to promoting China-South Africa relationship and sub-national friendly cooperation.

The past 75 years have witnessed both a journey of tenacious and persistent endeavors and a record of remarkable achievements. The Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people in making historic leaps -- from finding their feet to becoming prosperous and then to constantly getting stronger, boasting the creation of two miracles of the modern world: rapid economic development and long-term social stability.

Over the past 10 years of the new era in particular, with the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Secretary General Xi Jinping at its core, China has advanced to a new level in economic development, with its GDP reaching US $17.8 trillion in 2023, maintaining the second largest economy and contributing over 30% to global growth for more than a decade. By the end of 2020, China had lifted all impoverished rural residents out of extreme poverty, achieving the poverty reduction goal set in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ten years ahead of schedule. China has developed the largest national education system, largest social security system and largest medical system in the world. China now stands among the world’s countries of innovators with its self-reliant and cutting-edge technologies constantly breaking new ground.

The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee concluded last July drew up a blueprint for further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing China’s path to modernization. China will stay firmly on the path that is in line with China's national conditions, the path that has been proven correct and successful through practice and exploration. China will unswervingly work for high-quality development, promote high-standard opening up and pursue the value that puts the people first, so that our people will have a greater sense of gain, happiness and security. The Chinese people will embark on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects with greater confidence and determination.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As the African proverb goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.” China has always embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibilities and commitments as it grows stronger. We will stay firmly committed to a path of peaceful development, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and work with the international community to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and to pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally-beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. With China's new development on its path to modernization, China will continue to provide positive and stable energy, new growth driving forces and opportunities for the world that is experiencing turbulence and challenges.

 Earlier this month, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit was successfully held in Beijing. Under the theme of “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”, leaders of China and African countries took stock of the journey of China-Africa friendship, discussed and charted the future course for governance and cooperation. Two important documents, the Beijing Declaration and the Action Plan, were adopted unanimously. The characterization of the overall China-Africa relations was elevated to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. The FOCAC “summit week” is a “Global South moment,”which set up a new milestone for China-Africa relations and a new benchmark for Global South cooperation.

Before the Summit, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Ramaphosa who was in China for a state visit. The two Heads of States agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, underpinned by strong political ties and focused on a prosperous future with balanced trade, and accelerated transformative economic growth. Under the new circumstances, greater unity and cooperation between China and South Africa meets the expectations of the two peoples, and is consistent with the historic process of the growth of the Global South. It has important significance for the times and implications for the world. We believe that the "golden era" of China-South Africa relations will unleash more vigorous vitality and bear more fruitful results.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friendship, which derives from close contact between the people and at sub-national level, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. Many Chinese provinces and cities have established and maintained good relations with Gauteng and Free State with frequent exchanges of visits at different levels,   extensive cooperation in trade & investment, and active sister provinces & cities and people-to-people exchanges. The Chinese Consulate General is committed to further engaging with governments and other sectors of the two provinces so as to facilitate more mutual exchange and cooperation at sub-national level, and to provide  assistance and support within the Consulate’s capacity to those in need including schools, communities, people with disabilities and others. Our best wish goes to the two provinces for greater socio-economic progress under the leadership of the new governments. We hope that both sides will seize the new opportunities offered by the upgraded China-South Africa relations, implement the action plan based on real needs and towards more substantive outcomes, and continuously write a new chapter of China-South Africa sub-national cooperation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The development of China and the development of China’s relations with South Africa at both national and sub-national levels cannot be achieved without the efforts and contributions of Chinese enterprises and compatriots who are working and living here. What you have done for the high-quality development of China, for the economic and social development of South Africa, and for the mutual understanding between the two peoples is commendable. The Consulate General will, as always, be committed to “diplomacy for the people” and continue to provide to you with high-quality consular services. Here, I would like to thank the governments and all other sectors of the two provinces for the positive efforts made in creating a safe and sound environment for Chinese institutions and community.

To wrap up, I would like to propose a toast,

--to the prosperity of China and South Africa and the well-being of our peoples,

--to the ever-growing China-South Africa and our sub-national friendship，

--to the good health and happiness of everyone present,

Cheers!