Double celebration for China’s consulate in city
THE People’s Republic of China’s Cape Town Consulate this week celebrated its new year as well as the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Africa.
In the past 20 years the political trust between the two countries has been constantly on the rise, said Chinese Consul-General Kang Yong at an event at the Table Bay Hotel.
There are about 50 000 Chinese citizens living in three provinces in South Africa.
The new year’s celebrations were attended by government officials and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Lechesa Tsenoli.
Since the establishment of the regular exchange mechanism between the two parliaments in 2006, four rounds of parliamentary leaders’ meetings have been held successfully to maintain close communications on multilateral platforms such as the G20 and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
“We regard each other as the strategic priority for our foreign policies. We co-operate closely in regional and international affairs,” said Yong.
He said China has become South Africa’s largest trade partner and one of the largest investors in the country.
“For China, South Africa is our largest trade partner in Africa and the most important investment destination country.” He said the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have gone from strength to strength.
“Seeds of friendship continue to spread in the hearts of our people,” said Yong.
He added that in Cape Town Beijing had initiated a programme where a kung fu star teaches Chinese martial arts to primary and secondary school students from the Cape Flats, and also the Huaxing dragon dance and lion dance.
With regard to the drought crisis in the province, Yong said the Chinese communities in Cape Town were “torn with anxiety as much as the local people”.
“We hope that every member of the Chinese community will take action and join in the ranks of saving water,” he said.
Addressing those in attendance, Tsenoli said partnering with the Chinese government was an advantage for the development of the country and Africa as well.