By Thobile Jiwulane.
Caption: China’s ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng take a photograph with the cultural groups that performed at the event. Photo Credit:Xiang Sun/CNS.
The relationship between Africa and People’s Republic of China has moved to a new level with a renewed commitment by the two sides to implement people-to-people exchanges that are bound to benefit their respective societies in various ways and further strengthen China-Africa friendships.
This was the focus of the launch of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges held at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria this week. The launch, attended by Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, and African diplomats with a huge presence of the South African government representatives including Deputy Ministers and senior state officials.
The event also marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries that saw, as Wu put it, China-Africa people-to-people and cultural exchanges flourishing and delivering fruitful results.
Training deepens Afro-China relationship
As alluded to by Wu, the launch also marked the deepening of the Afro-China relationship – adding to the existing youth platforms such as the China-Africa Future Leaders’ Dialogue and the Young Leaders Forum, the China-Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Plan, and the establishment of 17 Luban Workshops in 15 African countries. He also revealed that through the Luban Workshops more than ten thousand professionals have been trained.
The Ambassador noted that the Chinese and African people are growing ever closer, the China-Africa cooperation is expanding in scope, while the China-Africa friendship is deepening. “Facts have shown that people-to-people exchanges form the most solid foundation of China-Africa friendship, while mutual learning among civilizations serves as the strongest driving force for China-Africa cooperation,” Wu said.
Congratulatory message from President Xi
The Year of People-to-People Exchanges launch, is a culmination of an agreement between China’s President Xi Jinping and African leaders at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). the initial launch ceremony of the programme was held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa last Friday where Xi’s sent a congratulatory letter.
In the letter, Xi expressed hope that both sides will seize the opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen mutual learning among civilisations, expand people-to-people exchanges, especially among the youth, deepen exchange of governance experience, and jointly advance modernisation.
Activities and the youth connecting the two great civilisations
The Ambassador also revealed that throughout this year, China and Africa will host up to 600 people-to-people exchange activities under the theme “Consolidate All-Weather Friendship, Pursue Shared Dream of Modernization”. The Chinese Embassy plans to hold about 20 events in South Africa with a series of performances and exhibitions for the “Happy Spring Festival” scheduled for next month.
With reference to the exchanges, Wu said: “In the new era of China-Africa exchanges, young people are growing into the navigators who connect our two great civilisations.”
Among the highlights of this year which he announced, would be the holding of interactive programs such as the China-South Africa Young Scientists’ Dialogue and the “South African Chinese Language Day” cultural festival. With this, Wu expressed hope that young people from both countries could foster enduring friendships, strengthen emotional bonds, and carry forward China-Africa friendship from generation to generation.
Deputy Minister appreciates strong historic bonds
Addressing the gathering, South Africa’s Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, voiced appreciation of the “strong and historic bonds of friendship between South Africa and China. He noted that the two countries were close international cooperation partners in the political, economic, social, technical, and multilateral domains.
Letsike said throughout the past 28 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Africa (effective from 1 January 1998), both countries have deepened their wide-ranging bilateral relations. The relations have since been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and underpinned by a new 10-Year Strategic Programmes of Cooperation (2020-2029).
The exchange covers extensive aspects cooperation
He mentioned that the existing South Africa-China People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PPEM), as a high-level platform that facilitates cooperation in various fields, including culture, science, technology, empowerment of women, communications, and tourism. It is aimed to deepen cooperation between South Africa and China, especially in areas such as education, health, and digital economy.
“On-behalf of government of South Africa, we welcome and appreciate China’s strong commitment to developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries as a cornerstone of China’s foreign policy,” Letsike said.
Touching on geopolitical matters, the Deputy Minister said: “In view of the global developments and the geopolitics, South Africa seeks China’s concrete support in the reform of the global system of governance to be representative, fair, and equitable, including reform of the United Nations in general and the UN Security Council, in particular. This request befitting, noting the developments we have all witnessed.”
People-to-people exchanges – the foundation of lasting partnerships
South Africa’s Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Nkhumeleni Vele, who also address the meeting, said the Year of China–Africa People-to People Exchanges is a theme that “resonates deeply with the mandate of his Department of Tourism.
“Tourism is, at its core, one of the most powerful expressions of people-to-people exchange. It brings cultures into direct contact, builds understanding, and transforms diplomatic relations into lived experience. People-to-people exchanges are the foundation of lasting partnerships, fostering mutual understanding, trust, and respect beyond formal agreements.
“Through tourism, these exchanges are brought to life — enabling citizens, communities, and businesses to connect directly, share cultures, and build relationships that strengthen cooperation between nations,” Vele said.
A strategic partnership underpinned by strong relations and cooperation
He said South Africa and China share a long-standing and strategic partnership in tourism, underpinned by strong political relations and practical cooperation. China remains one of South Africa’s priority source markets and a key partner in efforts to grow SA’s tourism as a driver of inclusive economic development, job creation, and social cohesion.
Over the years, Vele stated, the long-standing cooperation between South Africa and China has translated into concrete outcomes. South Africa has benefited from extensive Mandarin language training and cultural immersion programmes for tourist guides and frontline tourism workers, joint capacity-building initiatives, and ongoing destination promotion through SA tourism presence in Beijing.
Shared SA-China commitment contributes to post-pandemic tourism recovery
“These efforts ensure that Chinese visitors feel welcomed and understood, while South African tourism practitioners gain skills that strengthen service excellence and cultural sensitivity,” he said.
According to Vele, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel and temporarily slowed tourism between China and South Africa but there are efforts to restore their tourism interactions. However, the shared commitment by the two countries to recovery has been strong and deliberate.
The initiatives are already delivering good results
The return of direct air connectivity, the reactivation of tourism promotion, and the implementation of innovative mechanisms such as the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme demonstrate collective resolve to remove barriers and rebuild confidence in travel. The DG said these initiatives are already delivering results and reaffirm tourism’s role as a catalyst for reconnection.
“Looking ahead, South Africa remains committed to deepening tourism cooperation with China — not only to increase visitor numbers, but to strengthen cultural exchange, improve skills and service quality, and ensure that tourism contributes meaningfully to shared prosperity. In the spirit of the Year of China–Africa People-to-People Exchanges, let us continue to harness tourism as a bridge between our peoples — a bridge built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for sustainable and inclusive growth,” Vele said.