Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg, Young Diplomats and Wits University Students Hold Dialogue Marking China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges
The Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, held a commemorative dialogue with students and young diplomats to celebrate the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The dialogue was held on the 8th May under the theme,“Chinese Modernization and African Development Youth Dialogue between Chinese Young Diplomats and Wits University Students”.
The dialogue was attended by 50 people were present, including Lynn Morris, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Jerome September, Dean of Student Affairs, young diplomats form Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in South Africa, student representatives, and journalists.
2026 is being celebrated with all-year-long events under the theme, “Consolidate All-Weather Friendship, Pursue Shared Dream of Modernization.” The 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges is a major pan-continental initiative commemorating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries.
Jointly launched at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa in January 2026, the program highlights cross-cultural ties, tourism, and mutual civilizational learning. The commemoration involves 600 specific projects and pan-African cultural activities covering education, youths and women’s empowerment, broadcasting, science, and technology are rolling out across China and the African continent
In his speech, Mr. Pan outlined China’s vision, philosophies, and achievements in China’s modernization drive, hailed China-Africa, China-South Africa relations, and highlighted the significance of youth dialogue in enhancing mutual understanding and learning.
China and African countries are jointly pursuing modernization, and both parties contribute to mutually beneficial development, economic and political cooperation.The obtaining geo-political challenges, fraught with globalturbulence, uncertainties and challenges poses serious challenges to expected outcomes and positive benefits in China-Africa relations resulting from outside unilateral hegemonic influences, violation of international law and cannons of the United Nations (UN).
Prof. Lynn Morris told participants that the, “Youth represent the future, and exchanges between young people are about jointly envisioning a shared future and turning that vision into reality through cooperation.” She thanked the Chinese Consulate General for organizing the dialogue and fostering youth exchanges between the two countries.
Young diplomats and Wits university students engaged in critical in-depth discussions on issues ranging from state governance, innovation-driven development, green economy, poverty alleviation, culture and education, China’s zero-tariff policy for Africa, and the role of youth.
The participants and students were treated to the photographyexhibition titled “Youth Vision: Moments in China & South Africa” and a series of Chinese cultural displays and activities immersing them into a unique experience of Chinese and South African culture.
