Recently, Ambassador Chen Xiaodong paid farewell visits to South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Former President Kgalema Motlanthe, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and other dignitaries. He also attended the farewell luncheon held by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Candith Mashego-Dlamini on behalf of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

(Bidding Farewell to Deputy President Mashatile)

Reviewing the development of China-South Africa relations during his term of office, Ambassador Chen said that in recent years, China and South Africa have continued to deepen political mutual trust as well as exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, humanities, legislature and multilateralism. In August last year, President Xi Jinping successfully paid a state visit to South Africa and attended the 15th BRICS Summit, and China-South Africa relations have since entered the Golden Era. Ambassador Chen thanked the South African Government, Parliament and DIRCO for their strong support to his work and that of the Chinese Embassy. He looks forward to seeing the two countries working together to further grow the bilateral relations in the Golden Era.

(Bidding Farewell to National Assembly Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula)

Deputy President Mashatile and other dignitaries highly appreciated Ambassador Chen’s outstanding contribution to developing the bilateral relations during his term of office, and thanked China for providing valuable support to South Africa in COVID response and economic and social development. They said that under the joint leadership of President Ramaphosa and President Xi Jinping, the special bond of “camaraderie plus brotherhood” between the two countries has become deeper, and the bilateral pragmatic cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples. South Africa firmly supports the one-China principle and is ready to work with China to implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and take the bilateral relations to a new level.

(Bidding Farewell to Minister Pandor and Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini)

Additionally, Ambassador Chen   bid farewell to other members of South African cabinet, including Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister in the Presidency, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Social Development.