--By Acting Consul General Tang Chang'an, published on Cape Times, September 30

October 1, 2022 marks the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese ConsulateGeneral in Cape Town, I would like to extend holiday greetings to overseas Chinese, students, staff of Chinese companies and friends from all walks of life in Cape Provinces.

Over the past 73 years, the Communist Party of China has led the entire Chinese people in a dedicated effort to build a strong China through self-reliance and hard work. It has led the people to two great achievements: maintaining rapid economic growth and lasting social stability. The Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation-it has stood up, grown rich, and become strong.

In the past 73 years, China has succeeded in eradicating absolute poverty and become the world’s second largest economy; China has secured the independence of the nation, liberated the Chinese people, and succeeded in embarking on a development path that suits itself，a path of socialism that is distinctively Chinese. China has not only actively integrated itself into the international system, but also made outstanding contributions to world peace and prosperity. China will always strive to maintain world peace, promote global growth, uphold international order and provide public goods.

Following the Party’s 18th National Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics entered a new era. During the past 10 years, the Party and the country has scored historic achievements and gone through historic changes. We have accomplished the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule, embarking on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist China. We are embracing brighter prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The world is undergoing profound and acceleratedchanges unseen in a century. The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging across the globe. The human society is facing unprecedented threats and challenges. This year, President Xi Jinping attended a series of important multilateral diplomatic events, namely, the World Economic Forum, the Boao Forum for Asia, the 14th BRICS Summit and the High-level Dialogue on Global Development, and put forward Global Security Initiative(GSI) and Global Development Initiative(GDI), which have received positive response and extensive support from the international community.With these initiatives, China aims to contribute its wisdom and solutions for closing the peace deficit for humanity, tackling horny issues of the global development and implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as planned.

The year 2022 marks the 24th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Africa. Since then, political mutual trust between our two countrieshas been growing, the enduring friendship between peoples of both countries remain unshakable and becomes even firmer as time goes. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the heads of state of the two countries have maintained close communication through phone calls and letters, providing strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations.

In March this year, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with President Cyril Ramaphosa. President Xi pointed out that China and South Africa have forged a special friendly bond of “comrades plus brothers”. Consolidating and developing such relations is of great significance to guiding China-Africa relations as well as the solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. President Ramaphosa said China is a reliable and true partner and friend of South Africa and African countries. Following the direction of our two heads of state, China stands ready to work with the South African government and all sectors of society. Let us render each other assistance to achieve common development and create a even brighter future.

In 2021, the total trade volume between China and South Africa reached 54.35 billion US dollars, with a year-on-year growth of 50.7 %, of which South Africa exported 33.23 billion US dollars to China, with a year-on-year growth of 59.6%. From January to July 2022, the value of imports and exports between South Africa and China reached 31.72 billion US dollars, with a year-on-year growth of 4.8%. The history of the development of China-South Africa relations proved time and time again that only solid partnership will foster more effective and long-lasting economic and trade co-operation between two countries.

The world is facing the double challenge of fragile world economic recovery and continued resurgence of COVID-19 epidemic. The Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town always adheres to the spirit of working together to overcome difficulties and has cooperated with Chinese enterprises and local Chinese Community to donate hundreds of thousands of rand worth of food and medical supplies to the poor communities and vulnerable groups. Such donations aimed at assisting the three Cape Provincesin fighting against the epidemic, which vividly showcased the deep friendship between the people of our two countries in sharing weal and woe.

The Consulate General will continue to promote exchange between parliamentary bodies and cooperation between sister provinces and cities in both countries to deepen and consolidate bilateral cooperation. To deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges between our two countries, the Consulate initiated and developed “China-South Africa Health Science ” and “Chinese Dream” scholarship programs.

Serving the people is the abiding commitment of the Chinese diplomatic service. The Consulate General upholds the above principle and has worked closely with the provincial government, parliamentary bodies and police services in related tasks. We have initiated the "Safe Community" Tripartite Imbizo by the Consulate General of P.R.China, Provincial SAPS, Chinese Community Liaison in Cape Town. We carried out a series of consular publicity activities and provided better consular services, pushed forward the capacity building of Chinese Community Police Forum, to better safeguard the lawful rights and interests of overseas Chinese and build a safe Chinese community.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held on October 16. This meeting will lay out the blueprint and the objectives of China’s future development in the next five years and beyond, and will have broad and far-reaching influence on China's future development. We firmly believe that with the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the concerted efforts of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation at home and abroad, the ship of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will brave waves of the vast ocean and sail ahead courageously. No difficulties or obstacles will impede China's development.

Finally, on the occasion of the dawn of the Chinese National Day, I wish the friendship between China and South Africa lasting forever and the friendship between our peoples being passed on from generation to generation! Wish all overseas Chinese in our consular district peace and health! Wishour great motherland prosperity and the people happiness!