Mutual Understanding Makes People from Afar Close Friends

This year marks the sixth anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, and witnesses the development of an even closer Sino-South African partnership. It is also the celebration of the 10^th “Freedom Day” for South Africa. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the People’s Daily, to extend our best wishes for a progressing partnership between our two countries, and to warmly congratulate all South Africans on the 10^th anniversary of the founding of the new democratic South Africa. 

Despite a great distance between China and South Africa, the exchanges between our two peoples enjoy a long history. We Chinese had always been committed to the support of the fight against racism in South Africa. On 27 April, 1994, South Africa held a non-racial national election for the first time in its history. This marked the birth of the new South Africa. The abolition of apartheid in South Africa was a significant event in the history of human civilization. Under the leadership of President Mandela and President Mbeki, the new South Africa has made great achievements in reconciliation, economic reconstruction and national rejuvenation. We are happy about these achievements and warmly applaud our South African friends. 

In the development of the China-South Africa relationship, the media shoulders an important role and responsibility. As the largest newspaper in China, People’s Daily kept a close eye and frequently reported on the anti-racism fight of people in South Africa, and spared no effort to support this fight. In the early 1990s, our correspondents in the Southern African region went to South Africa to cover the first session of Codesa. Since the birth of the new South Africa, People’s Daily has continued to support the just cause of South Africans, and reported frequently and in depth on all the achievements. People’s Daily also tries to promote the friendly relationship between our two countries. On 28 November, 1996, when President Mandela announced that South Africa would set up formal diplomatic relations with China, the People’s Daily’s correspondent was the only Chinese news reporter to witness and report on this historical event. In recent years People’s Daily has been strengthening its exchanges and cooperation with the media in South Africa because we believe this can actively promote the mutual understanding and friendship between our two countries and peoples. 

An ancient Chinese saying goes, “Mutual understanding can make people from afar close friends”. And another saying goes, “There will always be chemistry between friends although they may live far away from each other”. Mountains and oceans will not obstruct friendship between our two peoples. We sincerely wish that South Africans will make continuous achievements under the leadership of President Mbeki. People’s Daily is ready to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with South Africa’s media, and to persistently make contributions to the development of the mutual understanding and friendly partnership between China and South Africa. 

                                                                                                                                    Wang Chen

                                                                                                                    President of People’s Daily

    On 27 April, 2004