Your Honourable Ms. Patricia De Lille, Minister of Tourism,

Your Excellency Siyabonga Cwele, South African Ambassador to China, and Princess Ntando,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, My Fellow Chinese and Friends,

Good Evening!

It is my great pleasure to get together with all of you to celebrate the upcoming Chinese new year.

First of all, let me extend, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, the warmest welcome to Minister De Lille, Ambassador Cwele and Princess Ntando, and all South African friends who join us for this joyful celebration.

Also happy Chinese new year to all members of the Chinese community, including the staff of Chinese institutions, educators and learners of Confucius Institutes, and all Chinese students studying in South Africa.

As we look back at the past year, 2023 was a year of  great achievements made with determined efforts for China in the new era.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China made solid strides in building a modern socialist country in all respects and the Chinese economy enjoyed high-quality development.

China’s GDP last year was over 126 trillion RMB, up by 5.2 percent year on year. This growth rate is one of the fastest among all major economies in the world.

The electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells that China exported to the world last year are worth over 1 trillion RMB.

China produced nearly one-fourth of the world’s grains, one-third of vehicles, over half of steel and nearly 60 percent of home appliances.

China’s science and technological innovation has been burgeoning. The C919 large passenger airliner entered commercial service. The Chinese-built large cruise ship completed its trial voyage.

The Shenzhou spaceships are continuing their missions in space and the Jiuzhang 3.0 quantum computer prototype again broke the world record.

2023 was a year of solid strides and multiple highlights for China’s diplomacy.

President Xi Jinping was personally guiding the planning and execution of major diplomatic actions.

President Xi Jinping chaired two home-ground events, attended three multilateral summits, made four important overseas visits and held more than 100 meetings and phone calls.

Chinese diplomacy made new contributions to maintaining world peace and promoting common development. Solid progress has been made in building a community with a shared future for mankind, Belt and Road cooperation was taken to a new stage of high-quality development and the BRICS mechanism achieved a historic expansion.

China’s major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era has entered a new stage where much more can be accomplished.

That will create a more favorable environment for building a great modern socialist country and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, as well as making new contributions to maintaining world peace and promoting common development.

2023 was a year of historic development and fruitful results for China-South Africa relations.

We together celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of China-South Africa diplomatic relations.

President Xi Jinping paid a fourth successful state visit to South Africa. President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa together ushered our relations into the Golden Era.

The two sides started a new chapter of jointly building a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future.

The Comrades plus Brothers special bond between China and South Africa is getting stronger. The two sides enjoy ever deeper cooperation in economy, trade, investment, culture, tourism and education, as well as between localities and on the international stage.

China has for 15 years in a row been South Africa’s biggest trading partner. In 2023, our bilateral trade volume was 55.6 billion US dollars.

China-South Africa relations today have gone beyond the bilateral spheres and are carrying stronger strategic significance and global reach. Our relations have set a fine example for China-Africa and South-South cooperation.

2023 was also a year of pioneering endeavors for all our Chinese compatriots in South China.

We together firmly supported China's national advancement and reunification, carried forward our fine traditional culture, and actively engaged in the two sides’ exchanges and cooperation in various fields to promote friendship.

Everyone played important roles as a bridge and bond between the two countries.

Many of us also participated in the reception of President Xi Jinping’s state visit to South Africa and made positive contributions to the success of the visit.

We not only built a good life for ourselves in South Africa, but also made new contributions to China’s development and China-South Africa relations.

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of our fellow compatriots! Thank you for the dedication!

Ladies and Gentlemen, My Fellow Chinese and Friends,

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It is a key year in the implementation of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan.

In the new era, China will continue to stride forward through a Chinese path to modernization.

This year also marks the beginning of the Golden Era of China-South Africa relations. China will host a new Forum on China-Africa Cooperation meeting. These occasions bring new opportunities for both China-South Africa and China-Africa relations.

In the coming new year, we look forward to working with the South African side to better implement our two Presidents’ important consensus, strengthen dialogue, exchanges and cooperation, and actively build stronger partnerships.

We look forward to jointly building a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future, and making greater contributions to promoting world peace, stability and development.

In the new year, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in South Africa will continue to uphold a people-centered approach and advance our diplomacy for the people.

We will work hard to deliver in consular services, firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, enterprises and all Chinese compatriots in South Africa, and make unremitting efforts to enhance the sense of achievement, happiness and security for all of us.

Ladies and Gentlemen, My Fellow Chinese and Friends,

We are about to usher in the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese lunar calendar. In traditional Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes strength, wisdom and good fortune.

In December last year, the United Nations adopted a resolution designating the Chinese lunar new year as a UN holiday. The Chinese new year is now officially a new year for the whole world.

On this joyful occasion, we are honored to have with us the Henan Provincial Art Troupe of China and local artists from South Africa. I look forward to enjoying a great cultural feast with all of you.

Lastly, please join me in extending best wishes:

To the prosperity of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa as well as the happiness of all our people,

To the everlasting and ever stronger friendship between China and South Africa,

To a most Happy Chinese New Year and good luckfor our distinguished guests, my fellow Chinese and friends!

I thank you!