China-South Africa Economic&Culture Banquet hosted by CPAFFC, the Chinese African People’s Friendship Association(CAPFA) and the South Africa-China People’s Friendship Association(SACPFA) was held in Beijing on October 29th, 2013. H.E. Mr. Abdul’ahat Abdurixit, President of CAPFA, H.E. Kgalema Motlanthe, the visiting Deputy President of South Africa，Madame Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, Mr. Tian Xuejun, Ambassador of China to South Africa, Mr. Manne Dipico, President of SACPFA, Mr. Bheki Langa, Ambassador of South Africa to China and other 170 guests from both sides attended the banquet.
President Abdul’ahat Abdurixit welcomed the visiting Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe in his speech and said that the relationship between our two countries had achieved a historic leap from partnership to strategic partnership and then to comprehensive strategic partnership over the past 15 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The two countries also have also made great progress in the people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation. The two sides are taking the opportunity of implementing the achievement of President Xi’s visit to South Africa, to further deepen political mutual trust, enhance practical cooperation in various fields, and jointly promote the in-depth development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and South Africa.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said that both countries will hold the "National Year " Event in turn in the following two years with a series of activities, which will provide a good exchange platform for the two peoples. We believe that SACPFA will coordinate with the Chinese friendship associations for the further development of exchanges in all fields and the deepening of South Africa-China friendship.
Mr. Manne Dipico said that President Xi Jinping and President Zuma had co-witnessed the significant moment when SACPFA and CPAFFC signed the Memorandum of Cooperation during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to South Africa. I sincerely hoped to work with CPAFFC to participate and engage in the activities of this "National Year" in a great effort to contribute to the friendship between the two countries.
The movie trailer of Long Walk to Freedom, telling the story of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela was also played during the banquet.
