On December 6, 2023, the opening ceremony of the "2023 South African Science Forum" was held in Pretoria. As one of the important activities of this forum, the "Science Diplomacy Award" awarding ceremony was held at the opening ceremony. In recognition of the contribution of the Science and Technology Section of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa to promoting science and technology cooperation between the two countries, Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, awarded one of the "Science Diplomacy Awards" to the Science and Technology Section of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, the "International STI Partnership Award". Mr Shen Long, Minister Counselor for Science and Technology of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, went on the stage to receive the award and spoke on behalf of the Science and Technology Section of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa.

The "Science Diplomacy Award" series of awards is an award newly established by the Department of Science and Innovation of South Africa in 2023, aiming to reward individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to South Africa's science diplomacy. This year, 4 South African scientists, 1 Canadian scientist, the Science and Technology Section of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, the SKA Africa Partnership, and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership received this honor. The Chinese Embassy in South Africa is the only government agency to receive the "Science Diplomacy Award" on the occassion.