Joburg Chinese Consulate Celebrates 75 Years of Progress of PRC
On September 20th, 2024, Consul General Pan Qingjiang delivered a powerful address at the Chinese National Day reception in Johannesburg, marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The event, held at Summer Place, gathered a wide range of guests, including South African government officials, business leaders, and representatives of the Chinese community, to celebrate the deepening ties between China and South Africa.
Qingjiang began by welcoming the distinguished attendees, including Premier of Free State Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and Gauteng Provincial Legislature Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe.
He expressed heartfelt thanks to the individuals and organizations committed to promoting China-South Africa relations and advancing friendly cooperation at the sub-national level.
China’s Remarkable 75-Year Journey
Reflecting on China’s progress since 1949, Pan highlighted the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in steering the nation toward rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. Under the guidance of the CPC, China has evolved from a struggling nation to the world’s second-largest economy, boasting a GDP of $17.8 trillion in 2023. He emphasized China’s key achievements in eradicating extreme poverty by 2020, a decade ahead of the target set by the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Pan also celebrated China’s innovation-driven growth, noting that the country has built the largest national education, social security, and medical systems in the world. With self-reliant, cutting-edge technologies, China has firmly positioned itself as a global leader in various sectors.
“The past 75 years have witnessed both a journey of tenacious and persistent endeavors and a record of remarkable achievements,” Pan stated, commending the Chinese people’s resilience and forward-looking vision. He also touched on the successful conclusion of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in 2023, which charted a path for China’s continued modernization.
Strengthening China-South Africa Relations
Qingjiang underscored China’s commitment to peaceful development and international cooperation, noting that the country remains a key driver of global economic growth. He reiterated China’s dedication to promoting the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative while emphasizing the importance of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
Turning to China-Africa relations, Pan celebrated the successful Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, held in September 2024.
The summit, themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” underscored the deep bonds between China and Africa. He praised the signing of the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan, which outlined new milestones for future cooperation between the two regions.
Qingjiang also highlighted the recent state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to China, where the two nations elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic cooperative partnership. He stressed the mutual benefits of strengthened China-South Africa relations, noting the alignment of both nations’ goals toward balanced trade and transformative economic growth.
A Commitment to Sub-National Cooperation
Pan recognized the importance of sub-national ties in enhancing state-to-state relations. “Friendship, which derives from close contact between the people and at sub-national levels, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations,” he remarked. He commended the thriving partnerships between Chinese provinces and South Africa’s Free State and Gauteng provinces, which have fostered trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
Looking ahead, Pan expressed the Chinese Consulate General’s commitment to further engagement with local governments and communities, emphasizing support for schools, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. He called for the implementation of the China-South Africa action plan based on real needs, promising substantive outcomes for both nations.
A Shared Future
Consul General Pan concluded his speech by expressing gratitude to the Chinese enterprises and expatriates in South Africa for their contributions to the development of both nations. He reaffirmed the Consulate General’s dedication to offering high-quality consular services and maintaining a safe environment for Chinese institutions and communities in South Africa.
Pan ended with a toast to the prosperity of China and South Africa, their ever-growing friendship, and the health and happiness of all attendees, encapsulating the spirit of collaboration and shared progress that defines the China-South Africa relationship.
“Cheers,” he said, raising his glass to the future of cooperation and unity between these two nations.
