On 3 July, Ambassador Wu Peng's article, “Celebrating the 105th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China”, was published in major South African media outlets the Star and the IOL website. The full article reads as follows:

On July 1, a celebration of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Beijing. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC and President of the People's Republic of China, delivered a keynote speech. He reviewed comprehensively the glorious course of the CPC over the past 105 years of uniting and leading the Chinese people in unremitting struggle, envisioned the bright future of the Party and the people, and called on the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country to remain steadfast in their convictions and work tirelessly toward the grand goals of fully building China into a great modern socialist country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 

The birth of the CPC was an epoch-making event in Chinese history. From leading 28 years of armed struggle after its founding in 1921 to establishing a new China in 1949, in which the people became masters of their country; from the vigorous socialist revolution and construction to the implementation of reform and opening up in 1978; and from socialism with Chinese characteristics entering a new era since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, China has comprehensively advanced the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Over the past 105 years, generation after generation of Chinese Communists have remained true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission-to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. We have firmly united and led the Chinese people in achieving the tremendous transformation from standing up and becoming prosperous to growing strong. Our accomplishments have attracted worldwide attention and expanded the paths toward modernization for developing countries.

Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have resolved the historical challenge of absolute poverty. China is now the world's second-largest economy, its largest manufacturing power, its leading trader in goods, and its second-largest consumer market. Over the past five years, China's gross domestic product (GDP) has grown at an average annual rate of 5.4%, while the size of the middle-income group has expanded to over 400 million people.

China has built the world's largest education system, social security system, medical and health care system, and urban housing security system, and is one of the safest countries in the world. China's comprehensive transport network stretches more than 6 million kilometres. Our electricity generation accounts for nearly one-third of the world's total. China has seen rapid development in the research, development and application of artificial intelligence, biomedicine, quantum technology and other fields, while our output of industrial robots, civilian drones and other products ranks first in the world.

In 2013, President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, which has so far benefited more than 150 countries, with project investment exceeding US$1 trillion. China is now a major trading partner for more than 160 countries and regions around the world, and contributes 30% to global economic growth. China's aid to Africa is massive and without political conditions, and China's economic and trade relations with Africa are based on equality and mutual benefit.

On May 1 this year, China fully implemented zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff-line products from 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. By upgrading “green channels” and other measures, China expanded access for African products further. 

As the world's largest ruling party with immense global influence, the CPC is committed to seeking progress for humanity and harmony for the world. China remains dedicated to building a community with a shared future for mankind, forging a new type of international relations, and contributing Chinese wisdom, solutions, and strength to addressing global challenges. China has always maintained that all countries, regardless of size, strength, or wealth, are equal members of the international community and enjoy equal rights to participate in international affairs. China advocates promoting international cooperation on the basis of sovereignty, independence, equality, and non-interference in internal affairs. Looking ahead, China will unswervingly hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, promote the shared values of humanity, work with all countries to build a better world, advance the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, and inject more positive energy into world peace and development.

Regarding regional hotspots and focal points like the Ukraine crisis and the Middle East situation, China remains committed to mediating conflicts with sincerity and goodwill, standing firm against hegemonism and power politics, and providing moral and practical support within our capacity to countries facing injustice. Furthermore, in response to the recent resurgence of Ebola in parts of Africa, China immediately dispatched medical expert teams and provided emergency humanitarian aid, fighting shoulder to shoulder with African nations to contain the epidemic.

A just cause never stands alone, and a journey shared by many reaches far. The CPC adheres to the principle of taking the people's aspirations as party's own and taking the interests of the world as the party's own, and has therefore won broad support from countries around the world. The 183 countries which have diplomatic relations with China, including 53 African countries, firmly support the one-China principle, recognize that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and support efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. Countries of the Global South closely coordinate within international mechanisms such as BRICS and G20, and jointly uphold true multilateralism.

As President Xi Jinping pointed out, China and Africa account for one-third of the world's total population; without the modernization of China and Africa, there can be no modernization of the world. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, and the 28th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. The world has undergone profound changes over the past century, but the friendship between China and Africa, and between China and South Africa, remains unchanged. China and South Africa suffered from similar historical tragedies. As early as the middle of the last century, the CPC resolutely supported South Africas's anti-apartheid struggle. Despite facing our own domestic constraints, the CPC provided steadfast moral support and material assistance within our capacity to the South African people in their historic struggle against apartheid. In the process, it forged close and friendly party-to-party relations with political parties such as the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party. 

Since the beginning of the new era, President Xi Jinping has put forward the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, as well as the right approach to friendship and interests, guiding China-Africa cooperation in the new era to new heights. President Xi himself has set foot six times on the warm land of the “Rainbow Nation”, and met President Cyril Ramaphosa for eight times on various occasions.

Looking to the future, China is willing to take the 15th Five-Year Plan as a new opportunity and the zero-tariff policy as a new engine, and work hand in hand with African countries to advance the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa, helping Africa accelerate the process of industrialization and agricultural modernization. China looks forward to working with South Africa to jointly promote the all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era between the two countries to stride forward, jointly write a new chapter of a high-level China-South Africa community with a shared future, and make greater contributions to human development and progress.