The year 2021 marks the centenary of the Communist Party of China(CPC). In 1921, at a time when the Chinese Nation was confronted with unprecedented social crisis, grave domestic turmoil and foreign aggression, the CPC came into being.

The rise of the CPC was an epoch-making event that reshaped the course of the history of the Chinese Nation, the fate and future of the Chinese people. Since its birth, the CPC has been relying closely on the people, conquered all difficulties, and striven forward in a relentless pursuit of happiness for the Chinese people, rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and the common good for the world.

As a result, the Chinese nation has achieved a great transformation from standing up to growing rich, and to becoming stronger, and has thus made a notable contribution to human civilization and progress.

China has become the second largest economy and the largest industrial country in the world.

Last year, under the severe impact of COVID-19 pandemic, China was the only major economy to secure positive growth, achieving a growth rate of 2.3 percent and a historic breakthrough beyond 100-trillion yuan (about R210 trillion) in GDP. China's share in the world economy rose to around 17 percent. China has been contributing more than 30 percent to global growth over the years, and will continue to be a main driving force of the world economy.

This year is also the opening year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan. China has successfully eradicated extreme poverty, embarked on a journey toward building a modern socialist country, and entered a new stage of development. In the first quarter of the year, China's economy made an auspicious start with a year-on-year GDP growth of 18.3%, a record high.

China is building a new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other. This is in addition to a new journey for China to open up to the world at a higher level and further participate in global governance.

Looking back on the course of past century, history has proved that China's national liberation and independence, as well as stability and development, hinge on the CPC. Therefore, the Party's leadership must be upheld under all circumstances.

To continue with the success, the Party must keep improving itself, retaining its advanced nature, adhering to socialism with Chinese characteristics and always putting the people first. The Party must also keep combating corruption and ridding itself of any "diseases" that damages the Party's organization and structure.

The pursuit of happiness for the Chinese people and of great renewal of the nation is the original aspiration of the CPC. It determines the responsibilities and duties of China's diplomacy.

To firmly safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests, pursue peaceful development and win-win co-operation, and promote the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind, is the goal of China's diplomacy.

Facing the dramatic changes in the international situation and a pandemic both unseen in a century, China has been at the forefront in coping with global challenges, actively co-operated with WHO and other countries in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and has provided emergency medical supplies to over 160 countries and international organizations, working on providing vaccines to over 80 countries and relevant international organizations.

China is committed to working with the international community to foster a community of life for man and nature, and will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

Since proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) has become the largest international co-operation platform and the most popular public good in the world. China has signed more than 200 BRI co-operation documents with more than 170 countries and international organizations, and has invested more than 110 billion US dollars (about R1.5trillion) in partnership countries.

According to a World Bank report, the BRI will lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty in the countries concerned.

China and South Africa have a special bond of "comradeship and brotherhood" and a shared future through co-operation platforms such as BRICS, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) and BRI, with infrastructure development on top of the agenda.

This year marks the opening year of South Africa's Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan. China is ready to work closely with South Africa to deepen and strengthen co-operation in COVID response, climate change, infrastructure development, poverty alleviation and reduction, trade and investment, manufacturing, finance, digital economy and green economy and other fields, to help boost South Africa's economic and social development.

The traditional friendship between the CPC and the ANC has a long history, will remain unshakable, and grow even stronger as the time goes by.

The exchanges and co-operation between the two parties have benefited both sides greatly and vigorously promoted bilateral co-operation in various fields to achieve satisfactory outcomes.

China is willing to work with South Africa to further enhance communication and co-operation between the political parties of the two countries, and learn from each other's experience on party governance and state administration, in order to constantly elevate China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new stages.