On 7 October, the Chinese Consulate General in Durban hosted a reception celebrating the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. Among the guests were KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi, Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Nontembeko Boyce, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba.

Acting Consul General Miao Miao introduced China’s path of modernization and the four major global initiatives, and said China stands ready to share development opportunities with South Africa, make full use of the zero-tariff policy, and advance subnational cooperation to a higher level.

Mayor Xaba congratulated China on its 77th National Day and expressed Durban’s readiness to deepen cooperation with China in trade, ports, education and people-to-people exchanges. Speaker Boyce spoke highly of the brotherly ties between South Africa and China and said the KZN Legislature would continue to support exchanges, cultural interaction and trade cooperation. MEC Buthelezi described China as an important partner of KwaZulu-Natal and highlighted broad potential for cooperation in trade, investment, technology and agriculture. He also noted that his recent visit to Guangdong further expanded exchanges in disaster risk reduction and emergency management.

At the reception, students from the Durban Music School, the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology, and Shude Academy presented a variety of wonderful performances, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.