Shen pointed out that exchanges between political parties are an important part of China-South Africa relations. They play an active role in promoting the development of China-South Africa relations and promoting practical cooperation in economic and trade circles and at local levels between the two countries. Under the new situation, it is necessary to give play to the leading role of political party exchanges, tap into the huge potential of sub-national cooperation between China and South Africa, give full play to the positive role of exchanges and cooperation between the business communities of the two countries, and contribute to the practical cooperation between China and South Africa.

Participants from the South African side spoke highly of the important role of intra-party exchanges in promoting South Africa-China practical cooperation, and praised China for effectively controlling the epidemic, achieving rapid economic recovery, and boosting confidence for other developing countries, including South Africa, to overcome the epidemic at an early date and achieve economic and social development. They believed that the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative will provide more opportunities for China-South Africa economic and trade cooperation.

The conference, themed on “relying on political party exchanges to promote China-South Africa practical cooperation”, was co-organized by China Economic Cooperation Center, the Progressive Business Forum of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Fujian Provincial People's Government. Nearly 150 people, including Chen Xiaodong, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa; Guo Ningning, Deputy Governor of Fujian Province; David Masondo, Member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and Deputy Minister of Finance of South Africa; and Makhosazane Zungu, Member of the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, Chairperson of the international relations committee of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, and Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature; as well as representatives from related enterprises of Fujian and KwaZulu-Natal, and member companies of the Progressive Business Forum, attended the meeting via videolink.

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