On May 7, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, the University of Pretoria and the South African Youth Association of Global Affairs (SAYAGA) jointly hosted the “South-South Cooperation in a Multilateral World” Youth Exchange Programme. Ambassador Wu Peng attended the event together with around 60 participants, including young diplomats with the Embassy, Director Gerda van Dijk of the School of Public Management and Administration at the University of Pretoria, SAYAGA President Lungile Magagula, as well as teachers and students from the University of Pretoria, the University of Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the University of South Africa.

Ambassador Wu delivered remarks and interacted with participants. He highlighted President Xi Jinping’s  four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, and emphasized that the more complex and turbulent the international landscape becomes, the more imperative it is for the Global South to strengthen unity and self-reliance. He noted that starting May 1, China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries with diplomatic ties with China, injecting strong momentum into China-South Africa cooperation. Stressing that youth represent the future of China-Africa relations, Ambassador Wu expressed confidence that, with the opportunities provided by the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, Chinese and South African young people will continue to deepen friendship and contribute to building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.

Director Dijk said that the event is an opportunity for dialogue, learning, and the strengthening of ties between future leaders and established institutions. President Magagula noted that young people must be active architects of the systems that govern our shared future, and encouraged them to play an important role in upholding multilateralism.

Young diplomats with the Embassy held discussions with South African youth on China’s zero-tariff policy, China-South Africa and South-South cooperation, and China’s governance model. South African youth said the event showcased the broad prospects of China-South Africa cooperation, especially under China’s zero-tariff policy. They expressed full confidence in Africa-China cooperation and looked forward to being part of future cooperation with China.