The “China in Springtime: China’s Development Opportunities for the World” Global Dialogue, organized by China Media Group (CMG), was held in Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday.
The city’s historic landmark, the Castle of Good Hope, welcomed around 100 representatives from the business, academic, and media communities of China and Africa.
Shen Haixiong, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and president of CMG delivered video remarks.
During his remarks, Shen highlighted the successful conclusion of the The 2026 Two Sessions, which spotlight the policies and priorities shaping China’s future.
Shen noted this year’s “Two Sessions”—the annual meetings of China’s top legislature and political advisory body—adopted important documents, including the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The Outline set out 20 main indicators and proposes 109 major projects in six areas. China has set a GDP growth target for 2026 at 4.5% to 5%. This roadmap for high-quality development also provides the world with a new “list of opportunities.”
“Since the beginning of this year, China’s new quality productive forces have been gaining strong momentum. From China’s AI models gaining global popularity, to humanoid robots performing Kung Fu at the 2026 CMG Spring Festival Gala, to the rise of cross-sector models such as ‘film plus tourism’ and ‘film plus dining’—with the film economy driving consumption—China, as an ‘oasis of certainty,’ continues to nurture new opportunities for development,” Shen added.
Shen also noted that the CMG is also committed to harnessing world-class technological innovation by deepening the integration of culture and technology, advancing emerging fields such as 5G, 6G, UHD technology, and artificial intelligence, and working with friends worldwide to build an innovation platform where technology serves the well-being of humanity.
Ren Faqiang, China’s Consul General in Cape Town, affirmed that “China’s door to the outside world will only open wider,” emphasizing the country’s commitment to advancing high-level opening-up, ensuring smooth domestic and international circulation, and practicing true multilateralism through concrete actions.
He added that China stands ready to work hand in hand with African countries, including South Africa, to share the opportunities created by Chinese modernization, build a closer community with a shared future, and make greater contributions to global development and human progress.
Daylin Mitchell, Speaker of South Africa’s Western Cape Provincial Parliament, praised the strong partnership between South Africa and China, noting that the relationship has fostered robust cooperation in cultural exchanges, inter-civilization dialogue, and people-to-people ties.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Dave Malcomson, South Africa’s Acting Deputy Director-General for Asia and the Middle East, underscored the importance of mutual learning among civilizations. He said such exchanges are essential for fostering respect among nations and jointly addressing contemporary global challenges, particularly those related to socioeconomic growth and development.
Turning to the broader global context, Les Govender, Deputy Chairperson of South Africa’s National Council of Provinces, said the world stands at a crossroads, facing multiple intersecting crises that are driving instability and creating an unprecedented demand for change. He noted that geopolitical tensions are often fueled by ideological differences, as nations compete for resources and influence, and are reshaping global trade relations, diplomatic priorities, and international partnerships.
Against this backdrop, he emphasized that the global community faces a critical choice: to succumb to fragmentation or to pursue a path of cooperation and sustainable development.
During the panel discussions, experts and scholars exchanged views on the themes “Technology Empowering Modernization: New Drivers for China–Africa Innovation Cooperation” and “Mutual Learning Among Civilizations and Global Communication: New Space for China–Africa Media Cooperation.”
The event served as a bridge between the two continents, fostering dialogue, understanding, and mutual learning among civilizations while advancing global cooperation.
The “China in Springtime: China’s Development, Shared Opportunities for the World” Global Dialogue series will continue to take place in countries across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia throughout the year, sharing China’s development opportunities with the world and promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations as well as global cooperation.
