On January 19th, the Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg hosted the 2024 “Chinese New Year Reception”. Around 300 guests from government, legislature, political party, business, academia, media and Chinese enterprises and community in Gauteng and Free State attended the reception. Consul General Pan Qingjiang, Premier of Free State Mxolisi Dukwana, Speaker of Gauteng Provincial Legislature Ntombi Mekgwe and Chinese community representatives made speeches respectively.

Consul General Pan extended New Year greetings to the guests and paid tribute to those who have been committed to China-South Africa friendship. In their speeches, Consul General Pan, Premier Dukwana, Speaker Mekgwe and Chinese representatives spoke highly of the bilateral relations, mutually beneficial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between China and South Africa at both national and subnational levels, expressing the willingness to work together for a closer friendship and a quality China-South Africa community with a shared future.

Performers from local communities of both sides presented a wonderful cultural show with traditional songs and dances.