PRETORIA:His Excellency Chen Xiaodong, the Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa has applauded the economic development achieved since the two countries established diplomatic relations.
The Ambassador was speaking during the Chinese New Year celebration held on the 29th January 2024, at the Sun Arena Time Square in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa and event took place just after the United Nations(UN)General Assembly on consensus, adopted China’s Lunar New Year known as the Spring Festival,as a floating holiday.
South African Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille and South African Ambassador to China Siyabonga Cwele attended the event and and delivered speeches before more than eight hundred(800)participants or guests.
In his speech, Ambassador Chen wished everyone a happy Chinese New Year, he reviewed the historic achievements made over the past year in China’s high-quality economic development, the building of a global community of shared future and China-South Africa relations under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Chinese President Xi Jinping at its core.
The Chinese Ambassador further thanked Chinese compatriots in South Africa for their positive contributions to greater friendship between the two countries.
Minister De Lille and Ambassador Cwele warmly congratulated China on celebrating the Year of the Dragon, and sincerely thanked China for its support and assistance to South Africa in various fields. They hoped that the two countries would continue to strengthen cooperation and deepen their special bond for the benefit of the two peoples as well as the rest of the world.
Ambassador Chen also joined the guests in enjoying the cultural feast presented by the Henan Provincial Art Troupe of China and local artists from South Africa. Shaolin kung fu, folk dances and other fascinating performances were greeted with bursts of applause,highlighting the festive atmosphere of celebrating the Chinese New Year and friendship between the two countries.
Chen Xiaodong-the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa.