The Ambassadorial Forum on China-South Africa Diplomatic Relations at 15 Years was held on September 19, 2013, in Pretoria, South Africa. 

Jointly hosted by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation as well the Africa Institute of South Africa, the forum is one of a series of important events hosted this year to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. 

Tian Xuejun, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, and Marius Fransman, South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, delivered keynote speeches to mark the occasion. 

Tian said the vision, velocity and vitality of the relationship bodes well for the future, making mention of the importance of the coming 2014 South African Year in China and the 2015 Chinese Year in South Africa. 

Making frequent references to the "wisdom" of Chairman Mao Zedong, Fransman said that two areas of tangible benefits emerging from the Sino-South African relationship this year were the launch of the massive Hisense factory in Atlantis, providing upward of 1200 jobs, and the impressive spike in Chinese tourism to South Africa. 

Participating scholars and experts reviewed achievements made in the past 15 years in areas such as bilateral political and cultural exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, communication and collaboration in regional and international affairs. Suggestions for the future development of China-South Africa relations were put forward by delegates. 

About 100 people from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, and local academic, industrial and business communities attended and gave presentations at the forum.