On April 15, 2026, Mr. Pan Qingjiang, Consul General of China in Johannesburg attended the China (Shandong)-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference. Around two hundred people were present at the event, including Mr. Meng Xiangdong, Chairman of the CCPIT Shandong Provincial Committee, Mr. Mtho Xulu, president of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, officials from South African national Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, and business representatives.

Mr. Pan briefed in his speech the outcomes of the just concluded Two Sessions of China and the development of China-South Africa relation, highlighting China’s commitment to the full implementation of zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations from May 1. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to promoting high-quality development and expanding high-level opening up, with the objective of providing new opportunities to the world, including South Africa, through its new achievements, advancing the building of a higher-level China-South Africa community with a shared future. The Consul General expressed his hope that the conference would further promote sub-national exchanges and practical cooperation, and contribute to the development of China-South Africa relations.