On February 17, Mr. Pan Qingjiang, Consul General of China in Johannesburg, attended the Chinese New Year Festival celebration event in Chinatown Johannesburg hosted by the Chinatown Johannesburg Community Committee. Over ten thousands local people and South African Chinese from various sectors participated in the celebrations.

In his speech, Consul General Pan extended New Year greetings to the South African Chinese and local friends from various sectors, saying that the Chinese New Year Festival, as the most important traditional festival of the Chinese nation, embraces reunion and hope, and also carries the common values of humanity: family harmony, social inclusiveness, and the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature. He hopes that the Chinese New Year Festival culture will continue to serve as an important bridge to promote friendly exchanges between the people of China and South Africa.

The event was highlighted by wonderful Chinese and South African traditional cultural performances, Chinese food tasting experiences and fireworks show.