On 29 July, Consul General Pan Qingjiang published a signed article entitled "People's power: strengthening ties between South Africa and China" on the Star and the IOL website. Full text below:
“It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all.” These resonating words by Nelson Mandela recognizes people’s power and inspires people to strive to make an impact. Mandela’s words aligns perfectly with Chinese President XI Jinping’s belief that “the people, who create history, are the true heroes”.
People’s power has been fully demonstrated in the history of both South Africa and China. In South Africa, it is the courage, perseverance and resilience of the people that have transformed the great nation so tremendously in the past century. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China over the past 105 years since its founding, the Chinese people have enabled the nation to realize the historic leap from standing up, growing prosperous to becoming strong.
People’s power is equally significant in fostering good relations between nations. We believe that the hope of bilateral relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in the societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at sub-national levels. For a long time, government, business, academic and civil sectors between the two countries have maintained close exchanges and frequent interactions, enriching textures of the All-round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era between China and South Africa.
I am encouraged to note that provincial and local government leaders are at the forefront of friendly exchanges. Since 2025, I have witnessed nearly 100 mutual visits between Chinese provinces/municipalities and my consulate’s consular district, i.e. Gauteng and Free State. Mr. Panyaza Lesufi, the Premier of Gauteng Province and Ms. Morakane Mosupyoe, the Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature each visited Hunan Province, where the two sides established sister-province relations and reached consensus on key cooperation areas. The Premier and the Speaker both expressed confidence and resolve to develop friendly cooperation with China. I vividly remember Premier Lesufi’s inspiring words that “it’s no longer a trade relationship, but a family relationship that must be harnessed”. I heartily recall Speaker Mosupyoe’s comments on the bilateral relations that “we take the lead when others hold back, we build when others destroy, we act when others hesitate.” Ms. Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, the Premier of Free State Province, thrilled me by her visit to Chongqing Municipality, where she reaffirmed willingness to establish targeted alignment and in-depth collaboration with Chinese provinces and municipalities, so as to deliver benefits to people on both sides.
I am delighted to see that business communities are wholeheartedly propelling our mutually beneficial cooperation. Since 2025, Chinese provinces and municipalities have hosted more than 20 economic and trade conferences in Johannesburg, the economic powerhouse of South Africa. These conferences have been very helpful in connecting resources and markets, in sharing development experiences, and in establishing platforms for further cooperation. I learned at these events that economic and trade cooperation with China is revitalizing local economies and increasing local employment. In 2025, China’s direct investment stock in South Africa exceeded $11.7 billion. Nearly 300 Chinese enterprises have invested and operated in South Africa, continuously expanding win-win cooperation in areas including infrastructure, automobile manufacturing, mineral processing, new energy and digital economy. In the first half of 2026, trade volume in goods between the two countries reached $31.58 billion, up 25.3% year-on-year. More exciting is that the zero-tariff treatment by China, effective as of May 1 this year, has boosted an outstanding increase of South African export of quality products to China. For example, South Africa exported 5,471 tons of apples to China in May, recording a year-on-year increase of 181%.
I am heartened to witness that people of all sectors in both countries are vibrantly interacting with each other, especially in this China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Increase of mutual visits are well reflected in the number of visas -- in the first half of this year, there is a 10% growth in business visas and a 29% surge in tourist visas to China. More Chinese visitors are coming to South Africa since the launch of ETA scheme by the Department of Home Affairs. Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms across South Africa run vibrant programs, and a growing number of local schools are introducing Chinese language courses or launching Chinese cultural activities. My Consulate joins in this trendy development. With our flagship “#Driving Education Culture” program, we supported Wits University students in their “Journey of Discovery in China” and their after-visit reflection seminar this year attracted 1600 audience. We “build bridges of friendship”, as called by UJ Vice-Chancellor Prof. Letlhokwa Mpedi, by inviting students from UJ and Wits to a dialogue with young diplomats in my Consulate, at which they engaged in extensive discussions on Chinese modernization and African development. We host annual short video competition for middle-school students, and this year's competition themed “South Africa & China: More Connected Than We Think” has drawn enthusiastic participation. We join hands with South African government institutions to work out projects empowering students, children, women, persons with disabilities and communities in need by bursary programs, by donation of water tanks, wells or wheelchairs.
I am pleased to find that the local Chinese community has been an active promoter of friendship between our two nations. Being an integral part of the “Rainbow” family, the local Chinese community has, ever since its first settling in South Africa in the 17th century, shared weal and woe with their South African neighbors. Chinese entrepreneurs have set up factories and businesses across South Africa, deeply engaging in local economy, boosting regional development, creating tens of thousands of local jobs. Successful Chinese business and community members launch charity programs on a regular basis. For example, during the critical phase of COVID-19 pandemic, local Chinese businesses and associations donated relief supplies valued at over 100 million Rand to support South Africa’s fight against the virus. On Mandela Day each year, many Chinese business people and community members join in the “67 minutes” initiative by generously giving back to the local communities.
I firmly believe that people’s power is a vital engine for China-South Africa friendship. A people-centered philosophy is key to a prosperous society, and it also underpins sound bilateral relations. I will, together with my good colleagues at the Consulate, continue to make every endeavour to rally the people’s strength, deepen people-to-people bonds and deliver tangible benefits to our two peoples.
I sincerely hope that people from all walks of life in South Africa will be more proactive in promoting the bilateral exchanges and cooperation between our two countries, be more creative in safeguarding and passing on the time-honoured friendship between our two great nations. Together, we will write a new chapter of a shared future. Together, we will realize common prosperity.
Link:
https://thestar.co.za/opinion/2026-07-29-peoples-power-strengthening-ties-between-south-africa-and-china/
https://iol.co.za/the-star/opinion/2026-07-29-peoples-power-strengthening-ties-between-south-africa-and-china/