Speech by Mr. Pan Qingjiang, Chinese Consul General in Johannesburg at DEC Short Video Competition Awarding Ceremony. 

Dear officials, partners, teachers, learners, parents and media friends,

Good afternoon!

Let me first warmly welcome you all to the Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg at the Driving Education Culture (DEC) Short Video Competition awarding ceremony.

I am so happy and grateful that today’s event has a blessing of such a warm and active participation of friends from both Gauteng and Free State, especially learners and representatives from Free State who took a long travel here.

In May, the Consulate launched the Short Video Competition under the project of Driving Education Culture (DEC), with the theme of The China–South Africa Learner Correspondent.

While celebrating the Youth Month of South Africa, we hope the short video competition will help to foster a deeper understanding of China and South Africa’s histories and cultures, and to promote the friendship between our two countries.

It is so encouraging and moving to note that the competition has had a good harvest.

About 140 entries by both individuals and groups involving nearly two hundred learners from over 80 schools in the two provinces have been received.

I have attentively watched your wonderful works. Each entry shines with colorful form, deep thinking, great enthusiasm and creativity, presenting vividly both the unique beauty and charm of a variety of cities of our two countries and the shared  commonalities through broad perspectives including landmarks, nature, culture, cuisine, folkway, people’s daily life and so on. I do feel your love for homeland as well as your curiosity and exploration of China. This competition has been more than successful. It has created new bridges of understanding between our youth and deepened the special friendship between our two countries.

Today we gather here to celebrate and enjoy the young learners’ works. We thank the young learners’ excellent contribution and congratulate the winners.

Here I also wish to mention with appreciation that the fruitful competition and today’s event would not be possible without the support and contribution from many others.

My thanks go to the officials of education from both Gauteng and Free State for your strong support and mobilisation. There is surely a lot more we can do together in education cooperation to benefit young learners.

My thanks go to the teachers and learners’ families. Amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. The valuable support from the community will always inject fresh vigour and confidence to the mutual endeavor to enhance people-to-people exchanges.

Last but not the least, my thanks go to my team. My consulate is not large in terms of number of staff, but huge in passion and energy, especially when undertaking programs for the promotion of understanding and friendship among young learners.

Dear friends,

Young learners are the future of the nation. Both China and South Africa attach great importance to youth development and exchanges. In September 2024, at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping announced the incorporation of the strengthening of youth exchanges and cooperation into the ten partnership actions for modernization to deepen China-Africa cooperation. The Chinese Consulate has established the annual “Driving Education Culture” initiative to help foster a favourable and enabling environment where the entire society cares for the youth and values education. On 17 June, Ipublished an article entitled “Driving Education Culture, Fostering Youth Friendship Between China and South Africa” in the Star, the Mercury, the Cape Times and on the IOL website.As I mentioned in the article, I firmly believe that the future for a lasting China-South Africa friendship rests with the young generation.

The world today is far from being tranquil. Humanity are faced with so many common challenges in their pursuit of  peace and development. We are living in a global village and are one community with a shared future. We need to join hand in hand to move forward. The world needs cooperation instead of confrontation.

China–South Africa friendship has traveled a long span of timeand has defied the obstacles of mountains and oceans. As early as in the mid-20th century, the newly founded People’s Republic of China lent firm support to the South African people in fighting apartheid. Facing the sudden onslaught of COVID-19, China was among the first to provide anti-pandemic supplies to South Africa, reaffirming our special brotherhood.

Under the guidance of our two presidents, China-South Africa relationship has been elevated to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era featuring a rapid expansion of cooperation in all fields including education and youth exchanges.

Dear friends,

Just like one learner correspondent said in his entry, China has not only gorgeous cities, amazing food and colourful culture, but also diligent and welcoming people. China opens its arms to the world, opens its arms to you. Young learners, you are all welcome to visit and study in China. My Consulate will continue to spare no efforts to engage with you all for a closer bond of our two countries and peoples.

Thank you.

* The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.

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