On September 30, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa held a reception to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Ambassador Wu Peng, South African Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, and former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe delivered remarks. More than 600 guests attended the reception, including friends from various sectors of South Africa, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Chinese-funded institutions and enterprises, and representatives of the Chinese community in South Africa.

In his remarks, Ambassador Wu Peng introduced the remarkable achievements China has made over the past 77 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China’s important contribution to world peace and development, and the outcomes of exchanges and cooperation between China and South Africa across various fields. He noted that looking ahead, with China’s zero-tariff policy as a new engine and the 15th Five-Year Plan as a fresh opportunity, China and South Africa will work together to build a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future and make greater contributions to peace, development and prosperity.

Minister de Lille extended sincere congratulations to the Chinese government and people on behalf of the South African government. She spoke highly of China’s achievements in economic and social development, as well as China’s support and assistance to South Africa. She noted that South Africa stands ready to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with China and keep advancing the bilateral relations. Former President Motlanthe reviewed the remarkable history of mutual support and friendly exchanges between China and South Africa, and warmly congratulated China on its 77th anniversary.

The guests watched a video on China’s National Day, enjoyed Chinese and South African cultural performances, visited an exhibition of books on China’s development, and took part in traditional Chinese cultural activities. They expressed their sincere wishes for China’s continued development and prosperity and greater progress in China-South Africa relations in the new era.