Johannesburg, December 13 (Reporter Wang Xi) As part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, the closing ceremony of the 2023 "Chinese Cultural Paradise" Johannesburg Camp in South Africa and the Commendation Conference for Outstanding Teachers and Students of the African Chinese Education Association were held in Johannesburg, South Africa on the evening of the 12th.
Founded in 2014, the Association for Chinese Education in Africa has a Chinese school under the Association. The "Chinese Cultural Paradise" has received assistance and guidance from the Beijing Municipal Cultural and Educational Delegation that is visiting South Africa. Relying on the educational resources of Beijing, the delegation selected 11 outstanding expert teachers to go to South China. During the event, there will be eight courses: poetry recitation, Peking Opera, calligraphy, art, handicrafts, chorus, Chinese martial arts, ethnic and classical dance. In just 10 days, the delegation not only helped the students of the Chinese school to increase their interest in Chinese culture, but also significantly improved the students' performance skills.
On behalf of the Embassy, Zhang Bin, wife of the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa and President of Sunshine School, expressed her gratitude to the institutions and people who have long cared for and supported Chinese education and cultural exchanges between China and South Africa, and congratulated the holding of the "Chinese Cultural Paradise" Joburg Camp. She pointed out that culture is wonderful because of exchange. At present, Chinese culture and education in South Africa are in the ascendant. With the support of the two countries and the efforts of social forces, including the Chinese Education Association, the prospects for cultural exchanges between China and South Africa will surely reach a higher level.
In her speech, Han Fang, President of the Chinese Education Association in Africa, recalled the development of Chinese education in South Africa and its persistence during the epidemic. She expressed her gratitude to the government and the non-governmental community for their support for Chinese education, and pointed out that it is rare for the "Chinese Cultural Paradise" to enter Africa for the first time. The holding of this event will allow more overseas Chinese to experience and perceive the rich and colorful Chinese culture, and enhance their awareness of Chinese culture.
South Africa's Minister of Social Development, Zulu, said that South Africa-China cooperation has been improving in recent years, and the future has broad prospects. She pointed out that education and culture have played a positive role in the process of exchanges between the two countries in various fields, and she hoped that greater progress will be made in people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries in the future. (ENDS).