Consul General Ren Faqiang Visited the University of the Western Cape

On 11 February, Ren Faqiang, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Cape Town, paid an official visit to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) at the invitation of the university. He held cordial talks with Professor Robert Balfour, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC, and other members of the university’s leadership, and visited the Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine at UWC.

Consul General Ren noted that UWC is a well-established research university in South Africa. Highlighting that this year marks the “China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges,” he expressed his expectation that both sides would work together to further deepen cooperation in science and technology, education, and culture, thereby advancing bilateral ties between China and South Africa.

Professor Balfour warmly welcomed Consul General Ren and thanked the Consulate-General for its continued support. He introduced the university’s history and development, as well as its exchanges and cooperation with Chinese partners. He expressed hope that, with the support of the Consulate-General, UWC would further expand practical collaboration and strengthen institutional partnerships with China.

During the visit, Consul General Ren and his delegation toured the Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine at UWC and received a briefing from the Chinese and South African co-directors on its academic programmes and operations. Ren commended the Institute’s positive contributions to promoting traditional Chinese medicine and the Chinese language, advancing cultural exchange, and fostering mutual understanding between the peoples of China and South Africa. He encouraged the Institute to build on its achievements, leverage its distinctive strengths in Chinese medicine, and make greater contributions to China–South Africa friendship.