On May 4, 2026, Ren Faqiang, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Cape Town, paid a visit to South African Astronomical Observatory(SAAO). He met with Managing Director Dr Rosalind Skelton and Mr Duke Nkadimeng，Deputy Director for China Cooperation of South African Department of Science,Technology and Innovation(DSTI), as well as the other researchers, and exchanged views on strengthening scientific cooperation in astronomy between China and South Africa.

Consul General Ren appreciated SAAO for its active participation in and promotion of astronomical research cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and South Africa. He expressed gratitude to DSTI for its strong support of bilateral scientific collaboration, and stressed that the Consulate General would continue to facilitate practical cooperation in fields such as astronomy, working hand in hand to deepen bilateral scientific and cultural exchanges.

Managing Director Skelton welcomed Consul General Ren's visit to SAAO, introduced the SAAO's development main history and achievements, accompanied him on a tour of relevant research facilities, and expressed willingness to continue promoting more practical cooperation with Chinese counterparts to enhance bilateral people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.