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On August 29th, 2014, the Chinese embassy in South Africa held an open-house day event titled "Walking Hand in Hand into the Future" together with the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, attended by over 30 people including deputy director general and higher-level officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation such as Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers and Director General Jerry Matthews Matjila, diplomatic representatives such as South African Ambassador to ChinaBheki Langa, and renowned South African business representatives. This was the first time the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation held such an activity in a foreign embassy in
In his video address, Ambassador Tian welcomed the distinguished guests from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to the Chinese embassy to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the birth of New South Africa and share beautiful stories of China-South Africa friendship.
In his address, Charge d'AffairesYang thanked the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation for choosing the Chinese embassy for such an activity. At present, China-South Africa relations are in the best period of time in history. The two sides enjoy deepening political mutual trust, comprehensive pragmatic cooperation, increasingly close people-to-people and cultural exchange, and growing coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs, especially under the BRICS mechanism. He expressed gratitude to Minister Mashabane and her Department for their continuous efforts to promote the development of bilateral relations, saying that the Chinese embassy is willing to work together with South African friends to bring bilateral strategic cooperation to a higher level. Through PPT presentations, representatives of different sections of the Chinese embassy gave a briefing to the guests the work of the embassy and major achievements of China-South Africa cooperation in various fields in recent years.
Morning Live, the news channel of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), gave a live broadcasting of the event, and conducted an exclusive interview with Charge d'Affaires Yang and Minister Mashabane.
On China-South Africa relations, Yang stressed that China-South Africa relationship has grown into one of the fastest-growing, most dynamic and important bilateral relationships in the world represented by frequent exchange of high-level visits, growing pragmatic cooperation, increasingly active people-to-people and cultural exchange, and close bilateral cooperation in international and regional affairs. Yang also gave a briefing on the BRICS mechanism and FOCAC.
Minister Mashabane said that this event is a highlight of the annual diplomatic missions' meeting for her Department, aimed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of New South Africa. The year 2014 is
On BRICS cooperation, Minister Mashabane said that thanks to the invitation of
South African Ambassador to China Langa said that in recent years South Africa-China relations have realized great leaps and there have been frequent exchanges of high-level visits. Minister Mashabane will visit
The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation also held on the site the launching ceremony of the new book for BRICS academic seminar. Deputy Director General Sucrel (transliteration) said that
The site was filled with Chinese atmosphere. The guests were deeply impressed by the Chinese calligraphy, Guzheng art, Tai Chi, tea art, and traditional Chinese breakfast. The fan dancing by a South African student from
All the guests agreed that the event was a full success, and was a journey to learn about the Chinese culture. The traditional courtyard style and elegant decoration of the Chinese embassy reflects the characteristics of the Chinese culture that is profound and harmonious. The professionalism and hospitality of the Chinese diplomats and goodwill of the Chinese people towards the South African people all left the guests a deep impression.
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