Johannesburg – China says it is ready to uphold its friendship and consolidate the foundation of cooperation, promote mutual understanding and affinity with South Africa.
“Together with South Africa, we are ready to uphold our friendship and original aspiration, consolidate the foundation of cooperation, promote mutual understanding and affinity between our two peoples, and jointly pursue the dream of modernisation to create an even brighter future for China-South Africa relations,” stated Ambassador Wu Peng.
He made his remarks during the Chinese New Year Reception on Friday, 13 February 2026.
Welcoming guests that included Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Nomalungelo Gina, the Chinese Ambassador extended his “most sincere seasonal greetings and best wishes of the New Year to everyone”.
Ambassador Wu stated: “Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, we have upheld the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, opposed unilateral protectionism, proposed the Global Governance Initiative, and continued to provide stability and certainty to a world fraught with challenges and turbulence”.
He said in 2025, the All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era between China and South Africa “steadily moved forward”.
Practical cooperation in various fields continued to expand.
Ambassador Wu said the South Africa-China Trade and Investment Promotion Conference, jointly hosted by the Chinese Embassy and the DTIC, was a great success.
“Our bilateral trade in goods reached almost 54 billion US dollars for the year, with a year-on-year increase of 2.2%,” he said.
“Just last week, China and South Africa signed the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Prosperity, which will give South Africa zero-tariff treatment on 100% tariff lines for exports to China soon.
“China’s massive market will provide South Africa with vast development opportunities.”
Ambassador Wu said another “great development” was that the fourth meeting of the High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism was successfully held in Beijing, injecting new impetus into cooperation between the two countries in education, culture, science and technology, sports, among other fields.
“I must say, such progress cannot be achieved without the warm support and active participation of our Chinese fellows in South Africa,’’ Ambassador Wu said.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and sincere respect to everyone.”
He stated that 2026 was the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan and also the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
“Together with South Africa, we are ready to uphold our friendship and original aspiration, consolidate the foundation of cooperation, promote mutual understanding and affinity between our two peoples, and jointly pursue the dream of modernisation to create an even brighter future for China-South Africa relations,” Ambassador Wu said.
“The Chinese Embassy and three Consulates General in South Africa will continue to uphold the principle of people-centered diplomacy, stay dedicatedto providing better services for our compatriots, and working to create a better environment for all of you to live, work, and study in South Africa.”
He thanked the South African State Theatre for its strong support for this event.
“And thank you to the artists of the Sichuan Performing Arts Troupe for traveling thousands of miles to South Africa to present a wonderful performance,” Ambassador Wu said.
“Finally, please allow me to extend my blessings in Chinese to all compatriots present, to our motherland, and to our people: 祝大家马年身体健康、龙马精神、马到成功！祝伟大祖国繁荣昌盛、国泰民安.”
Deputy Minister Dr. Gina said: “Your Excellency Ambassador WU, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa, I extend our warmest greetings to you, the esteemed People’s Republic of China, the Chinese community in South Africa, and including the embassy diplomatic staff, in celebrating the Chinese New Year commencing on 17 February 2026”.
She added: “As the Chinese usher in the Year of the Horse, a symbol of independence, leadership, and success, I am confident that these qualities will continue to be reflected in the evolving relationship between South Africa and China”.
Dr. Gina said China and South Africa mark 28 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and “we do so with a deep sense of pride in the progress we have achieved together”.
She said in 2026, the Year of People-to-People Exchange Mechanism, “we are committed to deepening connections and strengthening the enduring friendship in our bilateral partnership”.
The deputy minister said South Africa values the spirit of cooperation that underpins its relations with China and looks forward to further strengthening this collaboration in ways that advance shared prosperity and contribute positively to global peace and development.
“China remains a key partner in South Africa’s efforts to promote the socio-economic well-being of our peoples and to address the wide range of global challenges that demand collective action,” Dr. Gina said.
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