President of the Peoples Republic of China Xi Jinping has unleashed one of the Asian giants diplomatic heavyweights to South Africa as ambassador plenipotentiary, with a mission to escalate the unparalleled trade, economic and political ties, improve people-to-people relations and contribute to Pretorias extensive job creation drive.
IOL was granted the opportunity to sit down with the affable Ambassador Wu Peng, former director-general of Chinas Department of African Affairs in the Foreign Ministry, just days after he took the reins at the Embassy of China in South Africa.
I arrived here in the middle of South Africas beautiful winter. I have to say, winter in South Africa is much warmer and more pleasant than in Beijing. More importantly, the people here are so kind and hospitable. I feel even warmer because of their friendship, Wu remarked at the beginning of the wide-ranging interview.
To me, South Africa has amazing weather, massive resources and just everything it takes to achieve sound development.
In the past three decades, under African National Congress ANC governments, South Africa made great progress in socio-economic development. To that, I say congratulations. South Africas strong development is a perfect example of the rise of the Global South, he said.
