Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang has undertaken to increase exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and South African women in line with the unprecedented bilateral relations between the two nations.
In celebrating the International Women’s Day, a prestigious gala dinner was hosted in Joburg and attended by representatives of the South African government, Chinese communities in South Africa, businesspeople, diplomats, and activists.
“The Chinese embassy and consulate general will, as always, spare no efforts to assist in fostering an enabling development environment for the Chinese women in South Africa and in increasing women exchanges and cooperation between China and South Africa with more outcomes,” the veteran Chinese diplomat told the prestigious gathering.
He told the event hosted by the African Chinese Women Association that governments of China and South Africa attach great importance to the cause of women’s development and historic achievements have been made in both countries.
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“On behalf of the embassy and consulate general of the People’s Republic of China, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on this grand event and my best festive greetings to you all, our Chinese and South African women friends and representatives from all walks of life. My special respect and appreciation goes to the African Chinese Women Association under the leadership of Ms Jenny Wu and former chairwomen for the hard work and outstanding contributions,” he said.
He also extended appreciation to artists of the Chinese Ethnic Minorities Vocal Music Society who travelled from China to be in South Africa for the ongoing cultural exchanges.
“Today’s Gala event coincides with the successful conclusion only days ago of the Chinese annual “Two Sessions” of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
“Against the complex and volatile international situation and external pressures, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have united the people of the whole country as one to draw up and formulate new development blueprints and plans, fully demonstrating China’s confidence and strength towards the future,” said Pan.
He said China will “unswervingly” pursue high quality development, further deepen reform comprehensively and expand high-level opening-up with the commitment to sharing the tremendous opportunities offered by its modernization drive with all other countries and bringing much-needed stability to a turbulent world.
“As all-round strategic and cooperative partners in the new era and major members of the Global South, China is willing to further strengthen cooperation and coordination with South Africa, joining hands to build a high-quality community with a shared future and advance common modernization,” said Pan.
“This year, the G20 Summit will be held on the African continent for the first time. China firmly supports South Africa in carrying out its duty as G20 president, which will leave a distinctive African mark in global governance.”
On the empowerment of women, Pan said China has implemented the basic national policy of gender equality and the national action plan to advance the all-round development of women.
“Countless outstanding women have made important contributions to China’s modernization and become the models of the times. The average life expectancy of Chinese women has increased from 37-years-old when the People’s Republic of China was founded 75 years ago to 80 years old,” he said.
China has been listed as one of the 10 countries with high performance in maternal and child health by the World Health Organization.
Pan pointed out that South Africa is one of the 20 countries with the best performance in gender equality in the world.
“More than 40 percent of South African cabinet ministers and parliamentarians are women, far exceeding the global average of about 20 percent,” he said.
The celebration was attended by dignitaries including Deputy Minister of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu; Daryl Swanepoel, CEO of the Inclusive Society Institute; Counselor at the Embassy of China in South Africa; Liao Xiaoying; chairwoman of African Chinese Women Association, Jenny Wu, and Li Xinzhu, director of South Africa Chinese Community and Police Cooperation Center.
Sotyu told the gathering that South Africa and China have a special bond that ties citizens of the two nations together.
“The Chinese community’s history with South Africa dates back to the 1800s and is considered as an integral part of our society, and contributes significantly to the cultural and economic landscape.
“This prestige gathering tonight is not only a reflection of the strong ties between Africa and China, but also a recognition of the vital role that women play in shaping industries, particularly in tourism. The tourism sector remains a powerful driver of economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange,” she said.
“However, for it to reach its full potential, we must ensure that women, who make up the majority of the tourism workforce, are given equal opportunities to lead, innovate, and thrive. In South Africa, we are committed to fostering gender equity within tourism, and I am proud to highlight several key initiatives that align with the vision of tourism.”
The deputy minister highlighted the Cultural Immersion Programme for South African Tourist Guides which her department is using to equip South African guides with skills and knowledge to create meaningful experiences for Chinese visitors, ensuring they gain deeper understanding of South Africa’s diverse heritage.
“Given the growing significance of the Chinese market to global tourism, the department identified Mandarin language proficiency as a strategic opportunity for tourist guides. The department has taken steps to enhance the skills of South African tourist guides by implementing the Mandarin Language Programme,” she said.
Since its inception, in 2019, a number of South African guides have successfully passed the Hanyu Shuipin Kaoshi (HSK) examinations, reaching a proficiency that allows them to offer tours in Mandarin.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure that you would agree when I say this was a wonderful initiative that will ensure that South African tour guides can better meet the needs of Chinese tourists and provide them with memorable experiences. To further encourage Chinese visitors to visit our shores, the South African government announced a ground-breaking Trusted Tour Operator Scheme which significantly ease the process and allow for a seamless visa application process for Chinese travellers and tour operators,” she said.
“As we reflect on the achievements of the African Chinese Women Association and the broader South Africa-Chinese partnership, we recognise that tourism and trade remain powerful bridges between our two nations.”
She added that strengthening tourism ties with China means investing in cultural understanding, language training, market research, and infrastructure to enhance the visitor experience.
In her address, businesswoman Jenny Wu, who is also founder of the Jenny Wu Sports Academy expressed gratitude to the Chinese diplomatic missions in South Africa, local government officials, community leaders and all the people who attended the celebration.
“This year marks the third year since our seventh executive council took office. Staying true to our mission of uniting Chinese women to promote social integration and development, we have made significant progress across various fields. Every march, we celebrate International Women’s Day, providing a platform for women to shine and express themselves through art and culture, spreading confidence and strength,” said Wu.
“Regarding social responsibility, with warm hearts we continue giving back to local communities – visiting old age homes, supporting underprivileged communities, and funding over 400 students in disadvantaged communities for six consecutive years. We have helped build schools and sports facilities, bringing hope to those in need.”
She said the celebrations which brought together Chinese and South African women in line with the African Chinese Women’s Association drive to integrate the Chinese community into the mainstream South African society.
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