We would like to extend our warmest wishes to our Chinese friends and partners on the celebration of the Chinese New Year.  Happy Chinese Lunar New Year - Xin Nian Kuai Le Gong Xi Fa Cai!

South Africa and China enjoys a special relationship which was nurtured over the years. To mark the15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China in March 2013, President Xi Jinping paid a State Visit to South Africa. To mark this anniversary, the two Presidents issued a Joint Communiqué, endorsing the hosting of reciprocal ‘seasons’, namely, a South African season in China in 2014 and a China season in South Africa in 2015, with a view to fostering closer people-to-people relations between the two countries. This event is a prime example of this mutually beneficial relationship.

South Africa and China also share a platform in the BRICS block of emerging economies.  While China houses the headquarters for the Brics Development Bank in Shanghai, South Africa is home to its African Regional offices.

We have enjoyed excellent trade relations with China.  It is one of our core emerging markets. Air China also started operating on 29 October 2015 and has contributed to this growth.

We also experience mutually beneficial relationships with the Chinese Community in South Africa and we thank them for all the social support in our communities.

We firmly believe that the relations between South Africa and China will be elevated to new heights, and the tourism exchanges between our two countries will be further strengthened.

Thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores as you continue to recognize South Africa as your destination of choice.

Tokozile Xasa, MP
Deputy Minister of Tourism, South Africa