The Chinese Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, hosted the "South-South Cooperation in a Multilateral World" youth exchange program on May 7, bringing together South African youth leaders, university students, civil society representatives and youth organizations to discuss sustainable development, digital transformation, green growth and the role of young people in multilateral affairs.

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, addressed the youth during the opening session, stressing that young people are an important force in building a more equitable, inclusive and representative international system. 

He said South-South cooperation is not only about economic partnership, but also about mutual learning, innovation and solidarity among developing nations. 

Ambassador Wu reaffirmed China's commitment to expanding people-to-people exchanges with South Africa through education, skills training, cultural programs and youth engagement, describing these links as an important foundation for a shared future between the two countries.

Several South African students presented community-based projects related to clean energy and local economic development, sparking discussion on how such initiatives could be adapted and expanded across the Global South.

The Chinese Embassy in Pretoria framed the program as part of its broader efforts to deepen China-South Africa relations and promote the building of a community with a shared future. 

The initiative also reflected China's continued emphasis on cooperation among developing countries in multilateral platforms. 

South African participants welcomed the exchange, noting that youth engagement is increasingly important as South Africa advances economic reform, strengthens regional cooperation and expands its role in continental and global affairs.