On September 25, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa held a reception to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Ambassador Wu Peng and South African Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande delivered speeches. Over 400 guests attended the event, including senior officials from the South African political parties, government, military and police, friends from business, think tanks, universities and the media, as well as representatives from diplomatic corps and Chinese companies in South Africa, and the local Chinese community.

In his remarks, Ambassador Wu reviewed China’s achievements over the past 76 years since its founding, highlighted the Global Governance Initiative, and outlined the fruitful outcomes of exchanges and cooperation between China and South Africa in various fields. He reaffirmed China’s readiness to expand and deepen practical cooperation with South Africa in trade, culture, and other areas, to implement China’s zero-tariff initiative for South Africa, and to fully support South Africa in hosting the G20 Summit. He expressed the hope of advancing the all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era between the two countries.

Speaking on behalf of the South African government, Minister Nzimande extended warm congratulations to the Chinese government and its people. He highly commended China’s achievements in economic and social development, and noted the fruitful results of China–South Africa relations and cooperation. He stressed that China’s zero-tariff initiative would expand market access for African products, and affirmed South Africa’s commitment to further strengthening exchanges and cooperation with China to take the bilateral relations to a new level.

The reception was marked by a warm and friendly atmosphere. Guests conveyed their sincere wishes for China’s continued growth and prosperity, spoke positively of the Global Governance Initiative, and expressed confidence in the development of China–South Africa relations in the new era.