South Africa and China Celebrate 77 Years of Friendship and Growing Cooperation

By Thembi Moyo

PRETORIA – The 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China was marked in South Africa with a celebration of growing diplomatic, economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.The National Day reception was held on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, bringing together Chinese and South African government representatives, diplomats, business leaders, members of the Chinese community and other guests.

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng used the occasion to reflect on China’s development over the past 77 years, while also highlighting the growing relationship between China and South Africa. Ambassador Wu opened his remarks by acknowledging the rainy weather, saying it was good news for South African farmers and expressing confidence that the “weather” of China-South Africa relations would remain clear.

He welcomed guests to the celebration ahead of China’s National Day on October 1 and thanked those who have supported China’s development and relations between the two countries.Wu said China’s development had been driven by decades of hard work and perseverance, pointing to advances in science and technology, improvements in people’s lives and the country’s growing role in the global economy. He said China was preparing to embark on its 15th Five-Year Plan, with continued emphasis on its development path and contribution to global peace and prosperity.

The ambassador also drew a connection between the African philosophy of Ubuntu and China’s approach to international cooperation. “China shares this belief,” he said, referring to the Ubuntu principle that “I am because we are”.Wu highlighted China’s growing economic links with African countries, including its decision from May 1 this year to implement zero tariffs on 100% of tariff lines for products from the 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China.

For South Africa, the policy has opened further discussions around agricultural exports and access to the Chinese market. South Africa’s Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille said the relationship between the two countries had developed into a broad partnership covering political, economic, social, cultural and developmental cooperation. She noted that diplomatic relations were established in 1998 and said the relationship had continued to grow through regular high-level engagement. De Lille pointed to the South Africa-China Bi-National Commission as an important mechanism for coordinating cooperation between the two countries.

She also highlighted recent engagements involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as well as South African government delegations working with Chinese counterparts on trade, energy and investment. According to De Lille, cooperation in the energy sector is also being strengthened, with South Africa seeking Chinese investment and technical expertise to support the country’s energy transition and energy security.

Trade and agriculture featured strongly in the minister’s remarks. South Africa recently signed the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement in Beijing, while discussions are continuing around an Early Harvest Agreement aimed at ensuring South African exporters can benefit from the broader agreement. The opening of the Chinese market to South African agricultural products was highlighted as one of the practical areas where bilateral relations are producing results.

De Lille referred to the recently signed protocol allowing South African cherries to enter the Chinese market for the first time. This follows the stone fruit protocol signed previously, while work is also continuing towards expanding market access for blueberries and aquatic products.Tourism is another area where the two countries are seeking to strengthen cooperation.

As part of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, South Africa is working to attract more Chinese visitors through measures including easier visa processes, stronger air connectivity and training tourism professionals in Mandarin and Chinese culture.Between January and July 2026, South Africa welcomed 18,031 Chinese travellers, according to De Lille. “We warmly welcome more Chinese tourists to experience our beautiful destinations, diverse culture and the warmth and hospitality of our people,” she said.

Skills development and training were also identified as important areas of cooperation. De Lille said more than 3,000 South African officials and technicians had received training through programmes provided by the Chinese government since 2018, in addition to South African students studying at higher education institutions in China. The celebration also reflected on cooperation beyond trade and tourism.

Wu said China and South Africa were both members of the Global South and shared positions on a number of international issues. He also noted that the two countries would successively hold the BRICS chairmanship over the next two years, creating an opportunity for closer cooperation within the grouping. Former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe was also among the distinguished guests at the reception. The event ended with a celebration of the relationship between the two countries, with the Chinese Embassy expressing confidence that China and South Africa would continue to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

As China marks 77 years since the founding of the People’s Republic, the reception in South Africa served not only as a celebration of China’s National Day, but also as a reflection of the expanding links between the two countries – from agriculture and tourism to education, technology, investment and multilateral cooperation.