On September 2, Chargé d'affaires Li Zhigang met at the Embassy with Gert Grobler, a former veteran diplomat of South Africa and honorary professor of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, to hand over the reply letter from President Xi Jinping to scholars from 50 African countries.

Chargé d'affaires Li Zhigang pointed out that President Xi Jinping's letter reflects the great importance he attaches to China-Africa relations and shows the direction for people-to-people exchanges between the two sides. It is hoped that based on the China-Africa Dar es Salaam Consensus, African scholars will continue to provide intellectual support for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future and safeguarding the common interests of the Global South.

Gert Grobler expressed his heartfelt thanks to President Xi Jinping on behalf of scholars from 50 African countries. He said President Xi's letter is invaluable and encouraging, and will surely inspire African scholars to continue to make outstanding contributions to Africa-China relations.

Grobler was interviewed by both Chinese and South African media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, CGTN English, CGTN French , China News Service and Independent Online.