South African embassy marks 19th Freedom Day

South African Ambassador to China Dr. Bheki Langa addresses the celebration in Beijing. (Provided to People’s Daily Online)
The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in China hosts its annual Freedom Day celebration under the theme of “Mobilising society towards consolidating our democracy and freedom” in Beijing, Monday.

South Africa held the first non-racial democratic elections 19 years ago. “At the forefront of this movement for solidarity with the struggle against Apartheid were the Communist Party of China, the government and the people of China,” said South African Ambassador to China Dr. Bheki Langa to more than 350 guests in the celebration.

The reception is attended by Huang Shuxian, Chinese Minister of Supervision, Zhai Jun, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, members of the South African community residents in China, and a number of political, social, economic, cultural and media figures. Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Beijing also attend the celebration.


Huang Shuxian, Chinese Minister of Supervision (L) and South African Ambassador to China Dr. Bheki Langa (R) attend the celebration. (Chen Lidan/People’s Daily Online)
This year also marks the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between China and South Africa. China is now South Africa’s number one trading partner, and South Africa is China’s largest trading partner in Africa. Total bilateral trade was estimated at around 60 billion U.S. dollars in 2012.

"South Africa would like to see more Chinese companies investing in key sectors and projects that have been prioritized to unlock the country’s growth potential," said the ambassador.

Two countries have achieved significant progress in promoting people-to-people ties, too. South Africa has now three Confucius institutes across the country and more than 100,000 Chinese tourists visited South Africa by the end of 2012.