With the backdrop of flaming lanterns and Chinese knots, a grand Open Day jointly held by the Chinese Embassy to South Africa and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of S.A. was getting under way in the Embassy on August 29, to celebrate S.A.'s 20 years of freedom and democracy.

This is also the Embassy's "Open Day" for DIRCO's diplomats and sponsors. Among more than 30 people who attended the occasion were S.A. Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers, Director General Ambassador Jerry Matjila and renowned heads of SA mission abroad.

H.E. Ambassador Tian Xuejun, who was reporting his work in Beijing, especially sent a congratulatory message to this event. He welcomed Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and other distinguished guests, and said that it is a great honor to have this opportunity to join DIRCO to celebrate 20 years freedom and democracy of new South Africa and to share the good stories of China-South Africa friendship. We are very proud of the remarkable achievements you have made during the past two dacades, especially that in the field of diplomacy. We wish South Africa even greater success on your new journey. China and South Africa are good friends, good brothers and good partners, our relations has realized triple jumps, from Partnership to Strategic Partnership, and to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Together, we have achieved a lot. Now, we are facing an important historical opportunity. Together, we can do much more.

Charge D'Affaires ad interim Yang Yirui participated in this activity with the division chiefs of the Embassy. He expressed appreciations to DIRCO for choosing the Chinese Embassy to hold this event, which showed the importance attached by ministers and DIRCO to China- South Africa relations and the kind gesture towards the Chinese Embassy. He described the bilateral relations as in the best period in history. The cooperation between the two countries is comprehensive and strategic. Our political mutual trust is on high level. Our practical cooperation is deepening and fruitful, and people to people exchanges are increasing significantly. The cooperation and coordination in international and regional affairs is enhancing.

The division chiefs briefed the audience with PPT of their specific work and the cooperation between the two countries in their fields.

The event was featured with rich Chinese elements. A show of Chinese calligraphy, Tai Chi (traditional Chinese shadow boxing), Gu Zheng (a Chinese style zeither), and tea ceremony were performed for the guests. One local student from Pretoria Chinese School performed Chinese traditional fan dance.

As the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is around the corner, the guests also had a taste of traditional moon-cakes and typical Chinese breakfast.

South African Broadcasting Corporation(SABC) live broadcasted the whole event and interviewed Deputy Ambassador Yang, who elaborated on the bilateral relations and mechanisms of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and BRICS.

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