September 20, 2024

Hon.Cedric Frolick, House Chairperson of National Assembly,

Hon.Chairpersons of Porfolio Committees and Members of the Parliament,

Hon. Jo-Ann Johnston, Head of the Department of Economic and Tourism of the Province of Western Cape,

Hon. Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management of the City of Cape Town,

Dear Colleagues from Consular Corps,

Dear Fellow Compatriots,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

Good afternoon！Thank you so much for joining us to celebrate the 75^thanniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.Holiday greetings to all fellow compatriotsin the Western Cape, Eastern Cape Northern Cape Provinces, and heartfelt thanks to all friends who have cared for and supported China-South Africa friendship.

Over the past 75 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has embarked on a great journey of modernization, built most complete and largest industrial system in the world, and entered the ranks of innovation-oriented countries. Productivity, scientific and technological innovation capacity have greatly improved. China has grown from a poor and weak country into the world second largest economy. In particular, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core has united and led the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groupsto forge ahead in the new era. China has achieved the first centenary goal, and proudly embarked on a new journey to achieve the second centenary goal.

Not long ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20^thCPC Central Committee was held successfully in Beijing. The session has made systematic arrangements for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. This is a milestone session, sending a strong signal to the world that China will advance reform and opening up in the new era. This is a key move to promote national rejuvenation and build a strong country through Chinese modernization. We firmly believe that a modernizing China will provide more opportunities for the world, inject stronger impetus into international cooperation and make greater contribution to the progress of all mankind.

Since the beginning of this year, China's economic recovery has been consolidated and strengthened, industrial competitive advantages have continued to increase, and economictransformation has been significantly accelerated. Year-on-year, China's GDPgrew by5.0% in the first half of this year, the total volume of imports and exports of goods increased 6.1% , setting a historical record, the added value of high-tech manufacturing above designated size increased by 8.7%.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. Under the theme of "Jointly Advancing Modernization and Building a high-level China-Africa Community with a shared future", Chinese and African leaders reached clear consensus on strengthening all-round cooperation between China and Africa. Two important documents, the Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Action Plan(2025-2027)were unanimously adopted.The summit has received great attention from Africa and other countries around the world.The international community praised that in early September, the world entered the time of China-Africa and lit up the moment of the South, and highly praised this historic event for setting a new milestone in the development of China-Africa relations and a new benchmark for leading Global South cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Africa, our bilateral relations have achieved leapfrog development,our special friendly relationship of "comrades and brothers" has been continuously consolidated and deepened. On 2 September, President Ramaphosa paid a state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi. The two  presidents decided to elevate China-South Africa relationship to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. President Ramaphosa reiterated that South Africa will stay committed to the one-China policy, and stressed that South Africa will remain a trustworthy and reliable friend of China, and will work with China to expand and deepen practical cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, investment, infrastructure, new energy, poverty reduction, education, culture and people to people exchanges.

Accounting for almost half of South Africa's land area, three Cape Provinces play an important role in the development of the relations between China and South Africa. Since my arrival last year in Cape Town, I have witnessed practicalcooperationin various fields deepened, people-to-people exchanges getting closer and closer.All these have not only enhanced the traditional friendship between our two countries, but also brought tangible benefits to local economic and social development and job creation. To name some:

In last September, Premier Winde of Western Cape Province led a delegation to visit Shangdong Province. In June this year, Li Wei, Vice Governor of Shandong Province, led a delegation to visit Western Cape Province.In July, young and middle-aged officials from Western Cape Province visited Shandong, and in August, Premier Mabuyane of the Eastern Cape Province led a delegation to visit Zhejiang and Heilongjiang Provinces. Frequent exchanges between sister provinces and cities have injected vitality into our long-term friendly and cooperative relations.

Western Cape Province and Qingdao City have been engaged in sailing exchanges and cooperation for 10 years.Wuhu Mountain, Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province and Table Mountain became friendship Mountains, realizing the "hand in hand" across thousands of miles.

China's "Peace Ark" hospital ship visited South Africa latelyand delivered free medical services to more than 3,000 people in Cape Town, most of whom are the  homeless and poor.

A number of major cooperation projects between China and South Africa are progressing steadily. In Northern Cape Province, the station of the Square Kilometer Array Radio Telescope(SKA), the world's largest radio telescope, and a photothermal power station are under construction. The two sides are also actively exploring cooperation of space satellite and green energy.

With the announcement of adjustment of South Africa's visa policy, we will soon welcome more Chinese tourist groups, which is expected to boost South Africa's tourism economy and help create more jobs. Together with the governments of Western Cape Province,we are actively exploringdirect flights between Cape Town and China to further facilitate people-to-people exchange.

Nowadays, more and more Chinese enterprises are investing and starting businesses in South Africa, making outstanding contributions to local economic and social development. Hisense home applianceshas become the veritable first brandin South Africa. The DeAar wind power project invested by Longyuan Power provides power for 300 thousand local families.FirstAutomotiveWorkshop(FAW) and Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation(BAIC) have set up factories in South Africa.

It is worth mentioning that, striving to build a caring and harmonious community, Chinese communities and enterprises in South Africa have actively fulfilled their social responsibilities,persistently donating daily necessity to the communities, schoolsand hospitals .

We believe that with our joint efforts, regional exchanges and cooperation with China will achieve greater progress, bring more benefits to the people of the two countries and inject greater vitality into China-South Africa relations.

In conclusion, I would like to propose a toast,

To the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China,

To the long lasting friendship between China and South Africa,

To the health and happiness of all guests,

Cheers!