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The Chinese Embassy in South Africa Held Online Celebration of Chinese New Year
By Ni Yanshuo  ·2022-01-29

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

“As we recover and rebuild in the wake of COVID-19, it is our wish that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa will lead to mutual economic growth, development and common prosperity, prosperity for ourselves, for our respective regions, and for the rest of the world,” said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in his greetings to the online celebration of Chinese New Year titled “Happy Chinese New Year” held by Chinese Embassy in South Africa on January 28.

This is the first time for the president to send his Chinese New Year greetings via video message to the Chinese community in South Africa and around the world. He wished everyone well as people usher in the Chinese year of the tiger, an animal that symbolizes strength, bravery and independence. 

“In the year ahead, our focus will be ending the pandemic, alleviating poverty, reducing inequality and creating more jobs,” he stressed, adding that South Africa is grateful to the People's Republic of China for its support throughout the pandemic, and particularly for working to ensure that Africa has greater access to COVID-19 vaccines. 

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong said that 2021 is a landmark year in the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the country. “Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core, we celebrated the CPC’s centenary, achieved on schedule the goal of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, won the battle against poverty, and achieved our first centenary goal,” he said. 

Chen noted that in the new year, China and South Africa will follow the important common understandings between the heads of state. ”As we deliver the outcome of the FOCAC meeting, we will continue to deepen mutual trust, promote cooperation, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly safeguard multilateralism and international justice, and promote the building of a China-South Africa and China-Africa community with a shared future,” he noted. The two sides will jointly witness major moments of the 20th CPC National Congress and the 55th ANC National Conference, and continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two governing parties in order to better deliver for the two countries and peoples.

Chen said that the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics are to open soon. “Under the guidance of President Xi's approach of a green, inclusive, open and clean Olympics, preparations for the Winter Games and COVID-19 response are moving forward smoothly,” he said. An extraordinary and outstanding Winter Olympics that is both green and tech-savvy will be presented to the world. Athletes from all countries will unleash the speed and passion of winters on this stage, and demonstrate the strength from solidarity and friendship for the world, according to the ambassador.

Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture of South Africa

Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture of South Africa, extended warm festive greetings to the Chinese people in his speech. He said that the two countries share common interest in a number of ways, notably the promotion of people-to-people exchange mechanism, economic development through trade and investment, as well as cultural exchange programs. He believes that the year 2022 will bring more opportunities for both countries as “we continue to work together toward one common objectives of strengthening our relations in many areas as we aspire.” As the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is already at the doorstep, he hopes that this important event will continue to strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries. 

The online event was divided into three chapters: “Celebrating the Spring Festival Together,” “Embracing the Winter Olympics” and “Wishing for Good luck.” Participants reviewed the highlights and achievements of China-South Africa exchanges in 2021, and enjoyed wonderful cultural performances.

Happy Chinese New Year online celebration

Nearly 1,000 representatives from the South African Government, political parties, military, business, think tank, media, as well as Chinese institutions, Chinese compatriots and students in South Africa joined the celebration. The live-streaming of the event was viewed by more than 150,000 people in China and South Africa.

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