Pretoria (People's Daily)-- The Chinese Embassy in South Africa hosted a reception to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
The event was attended by 600 guests, including officials from the South African government and parliament, foreign diplomats, as well as Chinese and South African businessmen and scholars.
Ambassador Lin Songtian holds a media briefing before the reception. Photos by Wan Yu/ People's Daily
In his speech, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Lin Songtian highlighted the achievements of China over the past seven decades. "During the past 70 years, especially the 40-plus years since the reform and opening-up, the CPC has united and led Chinese people of all ethnic groups to stay committed to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, stay committed to reform and opening-up, stay committed to taking economic development as our central task, and stay committed to the people-centered philosophy of development, thus having created a miracle in the history of human development."
Guests watch "Exhibition on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China".
"Under the strong leadership of President Xi, the Chinese people are committed to realizing the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This is the shared aspiration of all Chinese people both at home and abroad. No one, no country, or no force can stop it!" Lin said.
South African Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology and Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Blade Nzimande congratulated China and conveyed his best wishes to China from the government of South Africa.
Inheritor of intangible cultural heritage Chen mingliang (second from right) shows Nzimande the dehua porcelain carving.
In his speech, he hailed the comprehensive strategic partnership between South Africa and China, saying that the relationship between the two countries is rooted in mutual understanding, shared ideas and mutually beneficial cooperation. Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Africa and China and the 100th anniversary of Mandela's birth. This year, the two countries will also host a new meeting of the South Africa-China bilateral commission. High-level visits between the two countries have led to and promoted the new development of bilateral relations and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples.