On April 24, 2026, Mr. Pan Qingjiang, Consul General of China in Johannesburg, attended the China (Hubei)-South Africa Trade and Investment Cooperation Conference. Around one hundred people were present at the event, including Mr. Chen Huarong, head of delegation from the Department of Commerce of Hubei Province, Ms. Gadija Brown, Special Economic Advisor to the Deputy President, officials from relevant government departments in South Africa, and business representatives.

Mr. Pan briefed on the outcomes of the China’s Two Sessions and the development of China-South Africa relations, 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 emphasized that China and South Africa enjoy time-honored friendship, with steadily expanding trade and investment ties and fruitful cooperation across various fields. China’s high-quality development and high-level opening up will provide new opportunities to the world, including South Africa. 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.