Pan Qingjiang Highlights Free Trade and Shared Growth at 2026 Chinese Lunar New Year Reception in Sandton
JOHANNESBURG: China’s commitment to deepening free trade, multilateral cooperation and Global South solidarity took centre stage at the 2026 Chinese Lunar New Year Reception in Sandton, where Chinese Consul General in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, delivered a forward-looking address underscoring the expanding China–South Africa and China–Africa partnership.
The reception took place on Monday, 09 February 2026. Addressing government leaders, diplomats, business executives and community representatives, the Consul General described the Spring Festival as a symbol of peace, harmony and mutual understanding between civilisations, values that closely resonate with South Africa’s cultural ethos and broader African traditions of unity and cooperation.
A key highlight of his speech was the emphasis on free trade and open markets as drivers of shared prosperity. He revealed that China and South Africa recently signed the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement, a landmark development expected to grant South African exports duty-free access to the Chinese market while boosting investment flows into key sectors of the South African economy. The agreement is widely seen as a strategic step toward strengthening industrial cooperation, trade diversification and inclusive economic growth across Africa.
The Consul General noted that China’s economic growth, which surpassed 140 trillion yuan with steady innovation-driven development, continues to create new opportunities for global partners, particularly developing nations seeking sustainable industrialisation and technological advancement. He reaffirmed China’s firm support for the multilateral trading system and opposition to protectionism, positioning free trade as essential for global stability and development in an increasingly volatile world.
He further highlighted the steady progress of the China–South Africa all-round strategic cooperative partnership, characterised by deeper political trust, expanding economic collaboration and growing people-to-people exchanges. The year 2026 has been declared the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, reinforcing public support for long-term diplomatic and economic cooperation between China and African nations.
Sub-national cooperation also featured prominently, with increased exchanges between Chinese provinces and South African regions such as Gauteng and the Free State, alongside charity initiatives, skills development programmes and job creation driven by Chinese enterprises operating in South Africa. These initiatives continue to contribute to local socio-economic development and community upliftment.
Local business stakeholder and event attendee, Sipho Dlamini, welcomed the Consul General’s strong focus on free trade.
“Opening duty-free access to the Chinese market is a major opportunity for South African exporters and small businesses. It means growth, job creation and stronger economic ties between Africa and China in a fair and cooperative way,” he said.
The Consul General also commended South Africa’s successful hosting of the G20 Summit and its growing influence in Global South diplomacy, noting that solidarity, equality and cooperation remain central to global governance reform.
As celebrations marked the Year of the Horse, symbolising strength and perseverance, the reception reaffirmed the shared vision of China, South Africa and Africa at large: advancing free trade, strengthening South-South cooperation and building a more inclusive global economy grounded in partnership, mutual respect and shared development.
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