By Aldrine Nyamhuno
“Youth Dialogue serves as a golden key for increasing mutual understanding and mutual learning especially in cross-cultural exchanges,” said Pan. He said both China and African countries were facing similar challenges as they pursue development in a rapidly changing global environment. The discussions centred on how China transformed its economy over the years and how cooperation between African countries and China could create new opportunities for growth. Pan said China’s development was built on long-term planning and policies suited to the country’s own conditions.
“China has grown strong from scratch, accomplishing two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability,” he said. He added that China remained committed to cooperation with developing countries, especially African nations. “A peaceful China is a blessing for the world. A prosperous China offers developmental opportunities for the world,” he said. Pan also highlighted growing economic ties between China and Africa, including new trade measures aimed at improving African exports into China.
“One of the latest steps China takes is the full implementation of zero tariff measure to the whole African continent. More quality products from Africa will be granted free tariff access to the Mega Market of China,” he said. The dialogue also gave Wits students an opportunity to reflect on their experiences in China and share ideas about development and innovation. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Lynn Morris said exchanges between young people from South Africa and China were helping strengthen ties between the two countries. “Our recent student delegation to China gave Wits students first-hand insight into Chinese modernization, innovation, and urban development,” Morris said.
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“What stood out to them was not only the scale of infrastructure, but how policy, planning, and implementation are aligned to improve people’s daily lives.” She said Wits wanted to expand partnerships with Chinese universities through research collaboration, student exchanges and programmes focused on education, technology and sustainable development. “We believe that such people-to-people exchanges strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between South Africa and China,” she said. The atmosphere during the event was relaxed but thoughtful, with students engaging directly with diplomats on issues affecting both Africa and the global community.
Some students who attended had previously travelled to China and used the platform to reflect on how development strategies from different countries could be adapted to African realities. As the event came to an end, Pan thanked students, university leadership and diplomats for contributing to what he described as a successful and meaningful dialogue. “Today’s dialogue comes to an end, but our dialogue and engagement will definitely go on,” he said. He added that 2026 had been declared the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges and said youth platforms such as the dialogue would continue strengthening cooperation between the two regions.
“Our commitment to empowering the youth to contribute to our nations, to the friendship and cooperation, to the building of a global community of a shared future will definitely go on from strength to strength,” Pan said write the headline in capital letters
