‘If you know history, South Africa must be supported’, says Chinese Ambassador Wu Peng

Derrick Avenue in Cyrildene, Johannesburg, was a hive of massive activities over the weekend as the China Town Johannesburg Community hosted a loud and high-spirited Chinese New Year ceremony to usher in 2025 on the Lunar calendar.

Large crowds waving Chinese and South African flags descended on the street extravaganza, which was also attended by senior officials including Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng, Consul General of China in Joburg, Pan Qingjiang; Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane; member of Gauteng Legislature Michael Sun, chairperson of the Gauteng Community Policing Forum (CPF) board, Thokozani Jacob Masilela, and station commander of SAPS Cleveland, Colonel Moses Lekalakala.

This year, the mega celebrations for the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival began on January 29. The year 2025 is dedicated as the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac which contains 12 animal symbols, in order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Each character represents a different year in the repeating 12-year sequence.

Major celebrations have begun in China and across different parts of the world, and the festivities will continue for 15 days, culminating in the highly anticipated Lantern Festival - called Yuan Xiao Jie on February 12.

Commonly referred to as China Town, the entrance to Cyrildene’s main street, Derrick Avenue, is popular for Chinese restaurants and supermarkets, tea shops, acupuncturists, massage parlours and electronics stores.

The celebrations were punctuated by loud fireworks, cuisine, fashion, cultural performances by South African and Chinese groups and remarks delivered by South African and Chinese representatives.

In his keynote address, Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng expressed deep gratitude to the government and people of South Africa for hosting and living in harmony with numerous Chinese citizens who now call South Africa their home.

“I actually want to say, our Chinese community in South Africa has been here for many, many decades. They enjoy their stay in South Africa. I would like to represent our Embassy in South Africa to say thank you to the people and government of South Africa. Thank you for accepting us, supporting us, assisting and to welcome our Chinese community working and living in this lovely country,” the Chinese ambassador said to applause from the crowd. 

“That is why South Africa is called the rainbow nation. All nations, tribes are very peaceful, co-exist together. You, as South Africa set a great example to the world.”

The veteran diplomat said anyone who has carefully studied the history of South Africa must be in a position to appreciate how the nation has moved from a painful past, and is trying to address the injustices perpetuated in the dark past.

“Everyone in the world must support South African people to achieve a compromise after the apartheid governance,” said Wu.

He said the Chinese people based in South Africa are greatly encouraged to give back to South African communities, and to play a leading role in community social responsibility.

China has remained Africa's top trading partner for more than 15 consecutive years. Specifically, the bilateral trade volume between China and South Africa reached US$55.6 billion in 2023.

South African exports to China have continued to expand, with beef, citrus, red wine, oysters, rooibos tea and many other products very popular with Chinese consumers.

Chinese enterprises have invested more than $25 billion in South Africa, an increase of more than 100 times compared to the time when diplomatic relations were established, creating more than 400,000 local jobs.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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