On 27 October 2026, Wang Xiao, Acting Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Cape Town met with Soobramoney, Chief Executive Officer of Independent Online. The two sides exchanged views on people-to-people exchanges as well as media cooperation between China and South Africa .

Acting Consul General Wang Xiao welcomed Mr Soobramoney on his upcoming visit to China to attend the Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road and the World Media Summit. Wang stated that news communication serves as an important channel for the people of China and South Africa to understand each other. The Consulate General is committed to forging closer bonds between people and supporting stronger cooperation between the media of the two countries. More South African journalists are welcome to visit China for on-site reporting, so as to show the South African public a diverse China.

Mr Soobramoney said that people-to-people exchanges constitute a vital bond for mutual understanding and trust between the Chinese and South African people. Rooted in South Africa and focusing on the Global South, Independent Online strives to help South Africans learn about China and the world through objective and impartial reporting.