On the morning of September 4th, the opening ceremony of the 3rd China-Africa Youth Friendship Forum and 2024 FAFU-DUT Confucius Institute Summer Camp of “Experiencing Charming Fujian” took place at the Changsheng Conference Center on the Jinshan Campus. Wang Yang, Deputy Director of Fujian Provincial Department of Education, Cai Wenzhi, Director of European and African Affairs Department, Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, and Zheng Baodong, Vice President of FAFU attended the event. 

Summer Camp Opening Ceremony

Speech by Mr. Zheng Baodong

On behalf of Wang Jiannan, Chair of the University Council, and Lan Siren, President of FAFU, Zheng Baodong delivered a speech, warmly welcoming the teachers and students of the Confucius Institute (CI) who had travelled from afar. He pointed out that following the successful conclusion of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the 9th Summer (Winter) Camp of the CI at FAFU and Durban University of Technology (DUT) had commenced. This summer camp, themed ‘Experiencing Charming Fujian’, will feature a series of visits and study activities, focusing more on China-Africa cooperation and highlighting the unique characteristics of Fujian to provide a distinct experience. He expressed hope that through this activity, the CI teachers and students would gain a deeper understanding of Fujian, including its present and future digital transformation, as well as its achievements, heritage and development in the maritime silk road. He also expressed his hope that the participants would further improve their Chinese language skills, immerse themselves in Chinese culture, and make more friends at FAFU and throughout Fujian Province, thereby fostering lasting friendship between China and South Africa. He further encouraged them to share their experiences and insights from this journey, presenting a true and comprehensive picture of China, and strive to become ambassadors of China-South Africa cultural exchange, contributors to China-South Africa cooperation, and promoters of China-South Africa friendship.

Speech by Mr. Cai Wenzhi

Speech by Mr. Qiniso S’thabiso NKWANYANA

Qiniso S’thabiso NKWANYANA (also known as Xiong Chang), a representative of the summer camp participants, expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the summer camp in China, and looked forward to gaining a deeper understanding of Fujian’s culture and achievements. He hoped to make more friends, broaden his horizons, and, upon returning home, share this experience with others to foster even stronger friendships between China and South Africa.

Presenting the Flag to the Summer Camp 

Distributing Camp Supplies 

Group Photo

At the opening ceremony, Wang Yang, Zheng Baodong and Cai Wenzhi presented the camp flag to the summer camp participants. Wu Lin, Co-Dean of the CI at DUT and leader of the summer camp, and the camper representative Qiniso S’thabiso NKWANYANA accepted the flag on stage, and the attending officials distributed supplies to the campers. After the ceremony, the CI teachers and students visited the exhibition hall showcasing “General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Care and Guidance for the Construction and Development of FAFU”, the School History Museum and Memorial Hall of Distinguished Scholars.

Visiting the Exhibition Hall

Visiting the School History Museum 

Visiting the Memorial Hall of Distinguished Scholars

Since 2015, FAFU has hosted eight CI Winter and Summer Camps. This year’s summer camp, which will last for 10 days, has invited 19 young South African students from the CI to Fujian, with visits to cities including Fuzhou, Wuyi Mountain, Quanzhou, and Xiamen. The camp provides an important opportunity for the participants to learn about China and Fujian.

Officials from Fujian Provincial Department of Education, as well as the heads of the school’s General Administrative Office, Publicity Department, Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, and College of Horticulture, along with 21 teachers and students from the CI at DUT in South Africa, and representatives and volunteers from FAFU attended the opening ceremony.

Correspondant: Publicity Department  Zheng Wei

Photogragher: Publicity Department  Gao Yan   Cao Jiayi

Translators: Lu Hanyang, International College

                   Huang Peifang, International College