Calibre of China envoy Wu Peng ‘highlights South Africa’s importance to Beijing’

The Chinese ambassador designate is the latest in a line of seasoned diplomats to take up the role in Pretoria, where he was warmly welcomed

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Yoliswa Mvebe from South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, welcomes Wu Peng, the new Chinese ambassador to Pretoria. Photo: X/ @AmbWuPeng

Published: 3:59pm, 20 Jun 2024Updated: 5:25pm, 20 Jun 2024

The Chinese foreign ministry’s former director general of African affairs, Wu Peng, has arrived in South Africa to begin his tenure as Beijing’s ambassador at a time of rising geopolitical tensions.

Wu, who arrived in Pretoria on Monday, said he looked forward “to working with all to take our comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height”, according to a statement from the embassy.

“Together, let’s harvest more ‘golden fruits’ in the ‘golden era’,” said Wu, who is also a former ambassador to Kenya.

China’s ambassadorial seat in South Africa has been vacant since the exit in March of Wu’s predecessor, Chen Xiaodong, who was named foreign vice-minister shortly after his return to Beijing.

Observers said Wu’s appointment was in line with the Chinese tradition of appointing a senior ambassador to South Africa, which remains the continent’s largest trading partner with China.

Emmanuel Matambo, a research director at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Africa-China Studies, said Beijing had sent some of its most seasoned diplomats to South Africa since relations were established in 1998.