On 26 January, Minister Qin Zhanpeng of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa led a delegation to Bloemfontein, Free State Province, to attend the South African Police Service’s annual National Excellence Awards, National Police Day and Career Expo. He presented awards to officers who played a positive role in handling cases involving Chinese citizens, and exchanged views with senior South African police officials on protecting the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in South Africa.

During discussions with Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia and SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, Minister Qin noted that the all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era between China and South Africa continues to deepen. The Chinese government attaches great importance to bilateral law enforcement cooperation, and is ready to further deepen exchanges and collaboration with South Africa in areas such as high-level mutual visits, police training, sharing experiences in social security governance, and combating transnational crime.

Minister Qin was also invited to join Deputy Ministers of Police Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo, alongside SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, in distributing school supplies to students. In his remarks, Deputy Minister Mathale expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese community for their support for local education.